by Gina Black
It’s true. I love the month of February. This is no recent crush, or fling; my feelings for this month run deep and true and began when I was about four. That was when I realized I would be four-and-a-half in February. This, of course, was ever so much older and more sophisticated than just plain four. And the fact that I’d get there sooner than my best friend, Sally, was even better.
A few years later–maybe I was six or seven–I discovered February had only twenty-eight days, and sometimes even twenty-nine. My admiration for the month went up. I always liked what was different, cheering for the underdog, or just enjoying what didn’t fit the mold because I never fit the mold either. February and I had a lot in common.
When I was twelve or thirteen, now living in Los Angeles, I noticed a pattern. In February there’s a sudden unexpected week when the rain goes away, the clouds clear, and its glorious shorts-and-sandals weather. Okay, so sometimes this happens in late January instead, but most often it’s in February. With this realization the flush of infatuation was upon me.
Love blossomed when several years later, I got married in February. At the time, I thought chance led me and the DH to tie the knot then, but now I’m not so sure. I think February was working its romantic magic on me, and the proof lies in the fact that we’ve had twenty-four anniversaries since then–and they all fall in February!!
Of course Valentine’s Day makes February an easy-to-love month. Who doesn’t adore chocolate and Valentines made with red construction paper hearts and white paper doilies? Some of my fondest memories of my mother involve these sorts of holiday arts and crafts. And, of course, I have a wonderful stash of homemade love notes from my children. On the early Valentines the words were scrawled so carefully, later printed in Klingon, and then in Japanese.
Still with all this, it’s only recently I’ve come to realize how much I count on February. After the stress and bluster of the winter holidays, February is the month when I notice the days visibly getting longer, bringing with them the promise of spring and summer. Along with that sudden burst of joyous weather, Valentine’s day chocolate, anniversary lobster, and becoming coff-and-a-half, February has always been there for me.
It’s definitely true love. February and I were meant for each other.
Gina’s book, The Raven’s Revenge, is competing for a publishing contract in the American Title II contest put on by Romantic Times and Dorchester Publishing. Voting is on now! For more information, log onto the Romantic Times website. Or, visit Gina’s contest blog.
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Gina,
Great insights into February. I LOVE the storms we get this month and then the crystal clear days after where you can see the mountains and almost every tree and rock on them. I’m so happy you are still in the “hunt” for the American Title. Also loved meeting your daughter and reading her great blog. The apple really doesn’t fall far from her very talented tree.:)
MichelleT
I love Feb too! It’s nice to see someone else noticing that we Californians *do* have regular seasons. We just get them in little doses here and there throughout the year.
My fave is the first week in May when all the flowers bloom.
And good luck with your American Title entry this month. I read it. It is *really* good.
🙂 dana
Gina,
You have anniversary lobster and we have anniversary Alaskan King Crab legs (although, I love lobster, too).
My favorite month is March–yep, our anniversary is March 13. But, I’ve always loved that month because after a storm breaks up, we have the most vibrant sunsets.
Gina, I love your relationship with February. Where I live February can be a cruel month, a cold and icy lover. I much prefer your version! It warms my heart.
Paris