It’s February, and that means Valentine’s Day. While some refer to it as a manufactured Hallmark holiday—created only to increase retail sales post-Christmas and make those who are single feel worse about it—I don’t see it that way.
According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent nearly $26 billion on Valentine’s Day gifts in 2023.
I’ve always laughed at the irony of New Year’s resolutions, which often include healthier eating habits, being followed just 45 days later with giving candy and chocolates to the one you love. You love them so much you tempt their attempts to live longer, healthier lives? It doesn’t make sense to me.
The heart-shaped chocolate box, created by Richard Cadbury—son of Cadbury founder John Cadbury—was a marketing move. He started packaging chocolates in fancy boxes to increase sales and introduced the first heart-shaped box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day in 1861. Today, more than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates are sold annually—that’s 58 million pounds of chocolate! Fifty-eight million pounds of broken resolve to lose weight in the new year.
But I digress …
All of this to say, most of us get our feelings hurt if we don’t receive something on February 14. Whether in a marriage, engagement, partnership, or friendship, no one wants to feel alone on a day dedicated to love.
Why is that?
I believe it’s because we all want—and need—to feel loved. Conversely, I also think we’ve become a society that throws around “I love you” too much and too effortlessly.
Human connection—and the rabid need for it—never became more apparent than it did during 2020. What a case study that was of our inherent need for human connection.
For me, 2024 was another pivotal time when so many needed to be—and feel—loved. There were, and still are, tough times in our community, and the outpouring of love has been infectious. People came together to help one another. Politics were thrown to the wayside, even during an election cycle. The camaraderie was something I hadn’t seen since the post-9/11 era.
Can we hold on to that a bit longer?
I’m not sure what I would do without the love of “my village.” It’s vast, and I know I’m blessed. Daily, I’m reminded that I’m loved by many, and I hope that those same people feel loved by me.
What’s love got to do with it? I think it’s got everything to do with it. Love drives us to be better people, work harder, make a larger effort and want to matter to others.
Love is, inherently, what it’s all about. Love drives people to do remarkable things. It motivates joy, inspires kindness, and craves connection.
It’s the unspoken “why” in nearly all our stories in one way or another.
In this issue, love takes center stage. In February, we always attempt to find a couple as co-founders for the cover. This issue is filled with love and the intentions behind it that impact professional lives.
Leigh and Mike Harting have a strong love for each other, their three daughters and their community. It’s apparent in everything they do and in the impacts they’ve made together, and individually.
Speaking of love, what an amazing opportunity we had to sit with Tim Marks, chief executive officer of Metropolitan Ministries. His love for his work is undeniable, and his reach into the hearts of the community is strong. As he begins to sunset his time with the organization, his reflection on the last 20 years there will fill your cup and run it over.
So, this “love” season, instead of rolling your eyes at the commercialization of Valentine’s Day, pause. Think about your loves and your “whys.” Whether it’s a spouse, a child, a friend, a stranger, someone who you know is alone or even a cause you’re passionate about, spread a little kindness and gratitude, even in the smallest of ways.
With love from here,
Bridgette Bello
CEO & Publisher
Tampa Bay Business & Wealth