Every year, my dad gave my mom a big boquet of red roses and a big chocolate sampler. And he gave me a few pink roses and a little chocolate sampler.

When I moved out on my own, he sent me a card every year. Or he knocked on my door with a card when he was on his lunch break.

After almost 40 years of being reminded that Valentine's Day can be for all love - not just romantic love - it's been less than 10 years, so I'm still not used to him not being here.