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Like many of us, I believe that in our younger years, we experience many types of love — the good ones, the rocky ones, the experimental ones. When we’re young, we’re open to flings and quick romances.
But as time passes and we grow older, we grow wiser. We begin to outgrow the need for constant relationships. We start to know ourselves better. And with that self-awareness comes a deeper readiness — a readiness to attract something meaningful.
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That was my case.
I felt ready within myself to attract the right kind of love.
The kind that truly fits, that feels aligned and deeply compatible.
During this time, I was leaving for a three-month trip.
A trip to the city that never sleeps.
A trip to challenge my craft and challenge myself.
But also, a trip to open myself up to love.
But something interesting happened.
Toward the end of the trip, about a week before going back home, I felt sad.
I told a friend, “I have not found love here.”
He looked at me and said, “This is where I think you’re wrong. You have found love here. You fell in love with the city. You fell in love with your craft. You fell in love with yourself. You love us, and we love you. So I truly believe you have found love in this city.”
It struck me.
He was right.
I had found the most beautiful kind of love. I had fallen in love with a place. I had discovered new layers of myself and met so many amazing people. I had realized what I was capable of — and that made me love myself even more.
That one-on-one kind of love we often seek is beautiful, and I truly wish it for everyone who is ready to receive it. But I also realized something important: we sometimes forget that there is so much profound, grounded, unconditional love in our everyday lives.
There is love everywhere — if we are willing to see it.
There is love in the things we do.
In the places we go.
In the kindness of a neighbor.
In the smile of a friend, the presence of our family.
And most importantly, if there is one person we should pour our love into, it is the one person who will never leave our side — ourselves.
So this Valentine’s Day, whether you are celebrating with someone special or spending it on your own, remember this: love is not missing. It may simply be showing up in a different form than you expected.
Stay open to it.
In all its shapes.
In all its softness.
With love,
Chanel.