Happy Birthday, Ali on the Run Show! Some thoughts about the day here.
I don’t remember when I started going all-in on Valentine’s Day.
I don’t think it was in elementary, middle, or high school. I’m sure my mom made sure I dressed the part, but I don’t remember what I gave, received, or worried about. (Probably — definitely — a good thing.)
I can’t recall a single Valentine’s Day in college, but I’m sure we found a way to turn the holiday into a drinking game. How fitting that my beverages of choice — Franzia Sunset Blush, straight from the box, and Raspberry Smirnoff mixed with Snapple — were pink.
One Valentine’s Day after college was particularly cruel for me: My boyfriend, whom I lived with in a pretty sweet Upper East Side apartment that had a spiral staircase (!!!) (I fell down it once and just about shattered my whole butt), broke up with me a few days prior. I was heartbroken. Devastated. I blogged about it, because of course I did. (Cringe, though.) He sent me a dozen red roses, delivered to my Dance Spirit office, on Valentine’s Day, which confused me, gave me hope, and ultimately just made me cry more. Tough love.
So I don’t really know when my love affair with the love-filled holiday began.
I think at some point in my adult life I just decided that we can all benefit from a day that promotes love. And oh did I decide to lean in.
I hate the argument that Valentine’s Day is a Hallmark holiday. (I’ve seen memes that say “as opposed to other holidays, found naturally in the wild,” and that always makes me laugh.) Because who cares? Who cares if it was invented for profit and marketability?
I buy into Valentine’s Day because it makes me happy. Love makes me happy. And never in my years of embracing February 14th have I approached it exclusively as a day for couples or for romance.
I use it as an excuse to deck our house out in reds and pinks, with hearts everywhere. We have giant hot pink flowers in the living room, festive ribbon chains hanging from the dining room light fixture, and a steady stream of foods that can be turned into hearts (strawberries, jelly sandwiches, toast) and roses (salami).
I think a lot about what love means. About how we show it, how we receive it (I love a Love Language analysis!), and how we feel it. I love knowing what makes people feel loved. And, ideally, I love doing those things for them.
I love having a crush and I love being in love. It’s so fun. I love the butterflies, and I love the long conversations. I love not even pretending to play it cool.
I love familiar love. Familial love. “Knowing exactly what you’re going to say before you even say it” best friend love. Comfortable love. “Could talk for hours” love. “I know the party doesn’t start for a few hours, but we’re coming early to hang out and help out” love. Makes-you-better love. “You were the first person I wanted to tell” love.
Mother-daughter love. The very best love.
Puppy love.
I love romantic comedies and love songs and meet cutes and fairy-tale endings. I love love stories. I love Love Story. (Baby, just say yes.)
I feel deeply, and I care a lot. Sometimes I hate that about myself. Mostly, I don’t.
Over the past few years, as my world has often felt like the epicenter of an earthquake, I have leaned into every kind of love I can find. I have, in spite of it all, continued to believe in love. Love is what keeps me going.
We can’t control the love we receive. But we can absolutely control what we give.
So whether you’re a fan of the holiday or you’re eager for it to pass, consider the power of love. And do with that what you will.
(ILYSM.)
This week on the Ali on the Run Show: Love on the Run Week!
Love on the Run with Mica Rivera & Adam Wood: Young love in Utah! These two are super sweet — and super fast!
Love on the Run with Deena & Andrew Kastor: One of the greatest gifts in my life has been my unexpected friendship with Olympic bronze medalist Deena Kastor. There is truly no one like her. She is so warm, and makes everyone in her life feel so loved and cared for. But until now, I’d never met her husband, Andrew! It was a treat getting to have them on the show together, talking about everything from their early courtship to the pressure of competing at the highest level, and so much in between.
Ali elsewhere:
When a Quinnipiac University student reaches out with a request, I’m in! You can check out my Quinnipiac Today feature here. Go Bobcats!
When I first felt a lump in my left breast in April 2023, the first person I reached out to (in a complete panic, admittedly) was the brilliant Dr. Amy Comander, via Instagram DM. It is my absolute pleasure to join Dr. Comander for a live chat supporting her Boston Marathon training and fundraising for the Ellie Fund. The event will be livestreamed on Tuesday, February 24, at 7 PM EST, and we would love for you to join us! Click here to register.
Watching:
Shrinking Season 3 (Apple TV). Loving this season! Paul holding the baby at the end of this week’s episode, oh my god. I was a puddle. This show is perfect.
Summer House Season 10 (Bravo / Peacock): This season is a hard watch. The inevitable dissolution of Kyle and Amanda’s marriage is rough. As someone who, too, has experienced the dissolution of a marriage, I can deeply relate to a lot of what we’re seeing play out onscreen. I feel for them both, honestly. Mostly I feel for the other people in the house. Summer should be fun!!!
Planning:
Boston Marathon live shows! Plural! Details coming soon. For now, save the date for a Friday evening show and a Saturday afternoon show. Let’s have some fun.
Feeling:
Furious at the current administration for so many reasons!
Horrified by Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance. Also deeply, deeply skeptical and borderline conspiratorial. I do believe we are living in Scandal. Help us, Shonda Rhimes.
Deeply sad about the news of James Van Der Beek’s death. Dawson’s Creek defined my high school years. I was deeply, deeply obsessed with the show and everything about it. (You bet I got the American Eagle sweaters as seen on the series.) This loss hits so hard for so many reasons.
I am so grateful for the wonderful brands and partners I get to work with on the Ali on the Run Show. Supporting them = supporting me!
Shokz: Click here and use code ALI for $10 off your next purchase.
Lagoon: Click here to get my favorite pillows (I sleep on the Otter every night), and use code ALI for 15% off.
New Balance: Click here to shop New Balance’s latest releases for the season.
Oofos: Click here to check out the Club+. Comfy and supportive = a dream!
Take good care of yourselves. Take good care of each other. Be the good. Spread the love.
(You’ve got this. You’re doing great.)
Love,
Ali
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