A Year Ago Today I Had A Mini-Stroke On Air On One Of My Favorite Holidays. And Now I Have Even More Reason To Celebrate!

Those of you who know me – even tangentially – are well aware that I am a HUGE HUGE FAN of Valentine’s Day. I know, I know – it’s a Hallmark holiday designed to rob people of money that they end up spending on flowers and candy and who-knows-what-else. BAH HUMBUG TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE who says that.

I love Valentine’s Day because I think it’s entirely appropriate that there’s a whole day dedicated to the celebration of love. What more important thing could there be to celebrate? I just don’t buy the excuses. And believe me, I’ve heard them all. None of them really work. The whole, “I celebrate my relationship every day” line is the worst one. No you don’t. Not actively, anyway. And I don’t blame anyone for that – life gets you in a routine and even when you have the best relationship in the world (and I feel like mine is right up there!), and the best of intentions, celebrating love isn’t a recognized, active daily priority. Which is why Valentine’s is even more awesome. It’s a day to REALLY focus on love, who you love, who you’re loved by, and ALSO – loving yourself.

That’s right, y’all. Of course I love the romance associated with the holiday, but after suffering a mini-stroke on this day last year, I ALSO am taking time today to love and appreciate the fact that I continue to exist in this world. Today will be all about PURGING negative thoughts that sometimes sneak in about myself – I’m not gonna think about the pounds I wanna lose, or the sagging skin I wish were firmer, or the new wrinkles that are greeting me in the mirror. NOPE! Today I’m gonna be thinking about the beauty of SURVIVING. I’m gonna be thinking about what a wonderful job my body did of recovering, of healing, of making it through the hole-in-my-heart closure operation. I’m gonna love ME on this day just as much as I love those closest to me.

I am reposting the video of the mini-stroke happening not because I have any intention of ever watching it again, because I don’t. But I continue to believe that it’s important for people who may not know how subtle the onset of a mini-stroke can be to see what that can look like. NEVER EVER think that you’re imagining things or that you’re overreacting. I’m so glad that I recognized what was happening and acted quickly.

I’m also posting the follow-up video that we recorded that same afternoon one year ago, after I got home from the hospital. It tells the full story, if you’re interested.

In any case, this day is the one year anniversary of the most terrifying thing that has ever happened to me. But it’s also the one year anniversary of it not happening AGAIN, and that’s the way I choose to look at it. It’s also the 23rd anniversary of the day I got engaged, and it’s a day to celebrate LOVE. Go celebrate, y’all.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY TO ME AND YOU AND EVERYONE!