Key points. Valentine's Day can trigger grief for those who have lost a partner, whether recently or a long time ago. Few resources aim to help those who have lost partners cope with the holiday Holidays and other special occasions hurt when you've lost someone you love. Valentine's Day is no exception. When the love of your life has died, pre-Valentine's advertising seems cruel. Perfect gift boxes from Jared and kisses beginning with Kay mock survivor's lonely wedding rings and abandoned lips. Hallmark video vignettes leave tear marks. Whether it’s the first Valentine’s Day you’ve spent without your spouse or partner, or it’s been years, you can use the ideas below to remember a special person who passed away. 1. Write a love letter. Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to express some difficult thoughts and feelings about your late spouse. Here are some suggestions to help you with Valentine’s Day grief: Turn it into a day for self-love and self-care. Treat yourself with extra compassion. There are absolutely no “shoulds” around how you feel, act or deal with the day. Go with what your heart needs. Set boundaries about Valentine’s activities. Participate however you want to. Before the pandemic many of these groups would host a Valentine’s Day meal at a local restaurant. Some are hosting online gatherings on Feb. 14. Reach out to friends and family. Alone time is good, but if you are withdrawing from the people that support you, Valentine’s Day is just as good a time as any to reach back out. There are several ways they can spend the holiday, including choosing to embrace the painful feelings, honoring their lost partners, avoiding the day, or celebrating the close relationships they have now. But perhaps the best is intentionally reframing the way you think about the day. Change the Meaning of Valentine’s Day The first Valentine’s Day after the death of a spouse can be especially hard since the day is dedicated to couples and nearly impossible to avoid. While celebrating Valentine’s Day alone might be a shock after spending so many years with a spouse, there are ways that you can get through it to help combat the feelings of loneliness and grief. Valentine’s Day has evolved past just being a day for couples, and we now have “Galentine’s Day” and “Palentine’s Day” that help people celebrate their love for their friends and family. So, on this Valentine’s Day, in the face of absence, try and celebrate the love that is all around you in your friends and family. Many people feel the need to put on a brave face to mask Valentine’s Day grief, while others may feel guilty if they smile or enjoy themselves at any point in the day. So, first things first: stop trying to follow a societal rule book on grief. Save yourself the energy and anxiety, and just do you on Valentine’s Day. 2. But the sadness can be magnified when your special person passes away near Valentine’s Day. After all, it’s a holiday meant to celebrate all types of love – romantic, platonic, and familial. And it’s perfectly normal not to want to engage in joyful celebrations when you’re deeply grieving. Making new memories this Valentine’s Day. As I am writing this, I have 24 hours until I head off to Mexico City for an alternative Valentine’s Day celebration. Although I am physically getting as far away from memories of everything that I have lost, I know that Charlie won’t be far from my mind. If you're not sure where to start, we've put together a curated list of thoughtful Valentine’s Day gifts for your husband that he'll actually love. These thoughtful, inspired gifts for men go way beyond the usual socks, Valentine's Day cards, and bottles of whiskey. My first Valentine’s Day with my late husband was kind of crummy: Dinner at an overpriced French restaurant in Chicago that had jammed in extra tables for the occasion, which left us sitting about six inches from another pair of very loud lovebirds. We moaned and vowed to never make a Valentine's Day dinner reservation again. After Ben died, I would have given anything to go back to that 9. Organize a Game Night for Two. If your husband loves games, plan a Valentine’s-themed game night just for the two of you. Choose games that you both enjoy, like trivia, cards, or a fun puzzle. Whether you’ve been together for years or are celebrating your first Valentine’s Day as a married couple, finding the right words to convey your love can make the day even more special. To help you express your emotions, we’ve curated a list of the 50 best Valentine’s Day wishes for your husband. Happy Valentine’s Day Wishes for Husband: What to Say to a Woman Who Lost Her Husband: 125 Meaningful Phrases By Kathleen Newquist November 5, 2024 November 5, 2024 When someone you care about experiences the profound loss of a spouse, it can feel overwhelming to figure out what to say to a woman who lost her husband. Happy Valentine’s Day to the best husband anyone could ever ask for. Remember that if ever it feels like the whole world is against you, I will be by your side. In a world full of breakups and heartbreaks, I want to be the dream girl who holds your heart and heals all its scars. Happy Valentine’s Day, my husband! Happy Valentine’s Day, my Making Every Valentine’s Day Message Count. As Valentine's Day approaches remember that the best messages come from the heart. Whether you're sharing a sweet note with a partner, a funny text with a friend or a meaningful sentiment with a family member, it's the thought and care behind your words that make all the difference. Valentine's Day can be a difficult and lonely time for those who have experienced the loss of someone dear to them. While it is traditionally seen as a day full of joy, love, and happiness for many, it may instead serve as an upsetting reminder for those grieving. If you know somebody that has suffered Looking for a fun Valentine's gift for your husband?Try The Adventure Challenge's Date Night bundle. These scratch-off activity cards are designed to encourage spontaneity in your lives and are divided into three categories: Red Means Go (romance and intimacy), Five Senses (physical stimulation) and Day Trip (exploring new places.)
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