QUOTES OF THE MONTH

In honor of Valentine's Day, there are three quotes this month
instead of one. Which one represents your view?

"Today is Valentine's Day - or, as men like to call it,
Extortion Day!" -- Jay Leno

"I have many valentines. My mom and my sister and my directors.
I got calls from all of them. And my friends. I respect what
Valentine's Day stands for because it is about love."
-- Michelle Trachtenberg

"Without love, what are we worth? Eighty-nine cents! Eighty-nine
cents worth of chemicals walking around lonely."
-- Hawkeye Pierce on M*A*S*H

VALENTINE'S DAY PERSPECTIVE

If you chose Jay Leno's quote, you might enjoy this quip.

On Valentine's Day, a sweet young girl received a lovely heart-
shaped box of chocolates. The card was signed, "To Emily, with
all my allowance."

Sometimes Valentine's Day gets a bad rap for being too
commercialized. Indeed, if a young man feels compelled to spend
all his allowance on chocolates, perhaps this reputation is well
deserved.

For Jim, Valentine's Day is about love. First and foremost, it's
about his love for his wife Marylin. Last year, he took it a
step further.

Jim went to a florist to order a dozen red roses for Marylin. He
thought about what she'd be doing on Wednesday morning when the
flowers would be delivered. On a whim, he ordered 10 single
long-stem roses to be delivered to the same address.

Every Wednesday morning Marylin meets with six other women at
her home. Jim always takes this opportunity to hike with their
dog, Maggie. When Jim is ready to leave, Marylin calls, "Bye,
Honey." With that, the other women chime in with "Bye, Honey."
Jim blushes and hurries out the door.

When the doorbell rang on Valentine's Day, the florist delivered
two large boxes. One contained the beautiful flowers for
Marylin. She was thrilled. The second box contained flowers for
his "Bye Honeys." Of the six women, four of them are single.
They said it was the first time in years they'd received a
Valentine's rose. All of the women were touched by this sweet
expression from a dear man.

Marylin wondered who the other four roses were for. Later that
day, she found out. Several of their neighbors were elderly or
widows. Jim delivered the remaining roses to them. One woman was
suspicious at first. When she realized it was just a neighborly
gesture, she was delighted. Another woman took the rose to her
kidney dialysis appointment that afternoon.

SPEAK YOUR SWEETHEART'S LOVE LANGUAGE

In THE ART OF THE SPARK, I discuss the FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES, a
book by Gary Chapman. One of the love languages is receiving
gifts. If this is your love language, a gift is a tangible token
that reminds you that your sweetheart's love is present even
when he or she isn't. If that describes your sweetie, select a
gift this Valentine's Day.

The problem is retailers would have us believe every woman needs
roses or diamonds to feel loved. That ain't necessarily so! If
you don't know your love language, go to www.stuartheights.org,
click on Counseling and take the Love Language Test for Adults.
(There's also one for kids if you're wondering how to best show
your love to your children.)

Here are some Valentine's activities depending on your
sweetheart's primary love language:

-- If it's physical touch, give a massage. Dim the lights,
heat the massage oil and play soothing music.
-- If it's acts of service, make dinner - and do the dishes.
-- If it's words of affirmation, write a love letter on your
and best stationery and read it aloud.
-- If it's quality time, play a romantic board game, one
that encourages conversation and touch.

If you're wondering where to get such massage oils or romantic
games, join me at my book signing at Nice 'N' Naughty.

BOOK SIGNING

NICE 'N' NAUGHTY, Colorado Springs
2504 W. Colorado Ave.
Sunday, February 10, 1:00 to 4:00
Come play Romance Bingo! Win a gift certificate from Nice
'N' Naughty. Come by yourself, with friends or your sweetheart.
It's the perfect prelude to Valentine's Day.

ART OF THE SPARK WORKSHOPS

CALVARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Colorado Springs, CO
4210 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Saturday, February 9, 1:00 to 4:00
$10 per person non-refundable registration fee, plus offering
($20 registration fee after Feb 3)
Recommended text: THE ART OF THE SPARK
Open to the public, singles and couples invited
Call 719 481-0207 to register

IN-HOME WORKSHOPS

You can host an ART OF THE SPARK workshop in your home. If at
least 5 couples attend, the cost is $30 per couple, which
includes 1 copy of THE ART OF THE SPARK, a $16.95 value. The
hosting couple attends at no cost and receives a free book.
Scheduling is a mutually agreed upon time. Please plan for
2 ? hours.

Additional sessions can be scheduled at $20 per couple for 5
couples if you decide you want more time. Session One covers
the basics. In the second session we plan a customized
adventure. My husband often comes with me so we can break into
two groups and plan surprises for our partners.

UNTIL NEXT TIME

If you enjoyed this free e-zine, please forward it to friends.

I care about people and how they celebrate. If you have any
stories you'd like to share with others, please send them to me
at mary@adventuresoftheheart.com. We can all learn from each
other.

Wishing you a life of romantic adventure,
Mary Zalmanek

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