Smile like you mean it

Today is February 14. Valentine's Day. It's kind of a dumb holiday because the married and long time attached couples don't pay much attention to it while the single folk feel like crap because they can't celebrate it. Well, I'm single and I don't feel like crap today. Actually, I haven't had this good of a day since my birthday.

I know a lot of my single friends, especially my guy friends get pretty bummed about Valentine's Day. When I found out about RAK week I knew I had to do something about it because A) I love the idea of RAKs and B) because I thought it might be a good distraction for my friends who ordinarily spend the day feeling lonely.

I had an awesome day today. My RAK work finally seemed to be doing something. My aunt e-mailed me this morning:

Hope you are having a good day. Well you made Uncle Brian’s day yesterday he told me you were a wonderful girl and he is so happy you bought a truck. He told everyone who came in to his room today that he had a special visitor last night. He told me that you made a good choice for the colour of the truck and he looks forward to seeing the truck once he is out of the hospital.

PS … saw a street guy this morning on my way to see Lexi at the school and gave him $5 … he thanked me .. as well I bought the attendant who showers Uncle Brian a coffee … Both fellows were very happy.

I went to Starbucks at lunch today to treat myself to a latte and determined to RAK someone. I was kind of nervous as I approached the counter. If someone had been watching me carefully they may have thought I was going to rob the place (I was wearing my bad girl pink hat). I made my request and then I turned around to the person behind me and said, "and I'll buy whatever she's having because today is Random Acts of Kindness Day."

The girl looked at me and laughed.

"That's very nice of you but I actually work here so I get all my coffee for free" (she was clearly in on her day off as she was not in uniform). "But buy her a coffee," she said and pointed to the woman standing behind us.

So I went up to her, held out one of my little pink hearts and said, "Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day and I would like to buy you your coffee because I want to do something nice for a stranger."

"Ah, what?" She was clearly stunned. But she came and stood beside me at the counter and placed her order. She had a gold travel mug just like mine (if I believed in these things anymore I'd say it was meant to be). She wished me a happy Valentine's Day and that was that.

I had not felt that invigorated and inspired in a long time. It was super! And it only cost me $2.00 for a high that will last all day.

Later in the afternoon I went to talk to one of the designers. When I came back to my desk there was a Random Act of Dessert sitting by my mouse! How sweet!

Tonight Joanna is picking me up and we're going to hang out somewhere. I'm going to have some girly martinis and maybe bounce a little. Duane, I might just do a shot of tequila, in PUBLIC just for you. Hopefully my eyeballs don't pop out.

So whoever you are, if you're sad today, I hope you read this and can at least smile for me, or smile because I'm thinking of you.

Yes, you. Right now.

Me.

Thinking, thinking,

still thinking...la la la la...thinkinnnnnnng....yooouuuu...