I've never been a fan of Valentine's Day, or at least the marketing that tries to define what it should be for most people, but this year Valentine's Day felt really special. In fact, it may be our new favorite "holiday." It felt like a day just for us. We woke up early as usual, made coffee - warm milk with nutmeg for T - and exchanged small gifts with each other. Then we drove down to our old favorite beach at Otter Rock. The sun was warm, shone brightly, and everything was in color once again. It was like spring, a gift in itself. No ridiculous jewelry, no expensive shows of "love." Simple, honest, easy, without pretense. Just us, together, happy, in a place we love. I could wish for nothing more.