As we observed Valentine’s Day last week, it seemed to be more celebratory than in previous years.

Maybe that’s because more people needed to lighten their lives after COVID-19 put a damper on our celebrations.

But not everyone was pleased with more emphasis on Valentine’s Day.

“People don’t understand how tough it is for those of us who are alone in life at a time when everyone seems to be celebrating being part of a couple,” said one friend.

After our conversation I had the idea that Valentine’s Day didn’t have to be just for couples. It could also be a celebration of friendship.

I thought back to grade school when we gave Valentines to everyone in the class.

I remember making sure I didn’t leave anyone out. That was easy because back then we bought valentines by the pack so we would have one for every classmate.

I remember saving what I considered to be my best valentines for my favorite classmates.

As I thought about all those old Valentine’s memories, I had an idea. I was going to buy a big pack of valentines like we had in grade school for friends and those who probably wouldn’t get a valentine.

I pictured a Valentine with a big head of lettuce saying, “Let us celebrate friendship.

The only problem was I couldn’t find valentines that came in a pack. Nor could I find those funny sayings we used to exchange as kids.

It was a good idea but it fizzled out before it could become reality.

For my very special Valentine, the man I’m lucky enough to call husband, I did find the perfect Valentine.

But even a special card along with the added gift of his favorite Dutch apple pie doesn’t seem adequate. Not with all he has been doing for me during the past few weeks.

When I needed surgery, my two daughters both said they were coming to Florida to help me through it. When COVID and bad weather canceled flights, my daughters couldn’t come as planned.

My husband said he could take care of me without help. That’s something he’s never had to do.

We had a very late in life marriage that was based on having fun together. Our days were filled with kayaking, boating and dancing.

We never had any of the tough times many couples go through as they grow together as a couple. It was all fun and games.

Because of that I never knew how he would be in a crisis.

Here’s what I learned when David was my sole support. It’s not having fun that binds a couple to each other. It’s swimming together through rough waters that builds a stronger relationship.

During a month of being together during one challenge after the other, our marriage deepened in scope. I learned the joy of knowing I had a husband I could count on.

While I wouldn’t want to go through the surgery and physical challenges again, I am grateful that it strengthened our marriage.

For Valentine’s Day I decided the best thing I could give David was love - love in the form of frequent compliments and a keen appreciation of all that he is.

The idea started back in August when author Gary Chapman challenged his radio listeners to complete the secret 30-day challenge he said was guaranteed to strengthen relationships.

The challenge was to give our partner a loving compliment for 30 days in a row. The second part of the challenge was not to share with others anything that would put our partner in a negative light.

It’s called a “secret” because we shouldn’t let our partner know we were doing it as part of a challenge.

The second part of the challenge was a bit harder. Without being aware of it, many of us complain about our spouse to others. I didn’t think I did that until I monitored myself during the 30-day challenge.

Neither I nor any of my friends made it successfully through 30 days.

I’m trying it again and this time I’m sure I will do it. I already see how it changed my relationship with David by changing my behavior.

One example of my change was what happened when David asked me to go shopping with him. We were in the store less than 10 minutes when he pulled his Houdini disappearing act.

He said I should “wait there” by housewares while he made a quick stop at the pharmacy. But he never came back.

My first inclination was to ask why he wanted me to go shopping with him but he didn’t stay with me.

Instead, when I finally found him I made a joke out of it instead of being angry as I would have been in the past. So we shared a laugh instead of harsh words.

There are several versions of the 30-day challenge on the Internet.

Pick one and try it. I think you’ll be surprised at the positive outcome.

Think about this question. When was the last time you gave your partner a sincere compliment?

When we are just dating, we express our love and appreciation almost every day. Over time, that disappears.

We can revive our relationship in surprising ways with just a little adjustment.

Let me know if you pass the 30-day challenge.

Contact Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net.