I Have A Crush

By CHRISTINE JOHNSON

Photo by HATTIE FOOTE

February is filled with love, greeting cards, flowers, and wonderful dinners with that special person in your life. I feel like the official month for the color red is also about kindness and gratitude in your life. There are so many of us who may live alone, have lost someone, or are fighting through situations where we just need someone in our lives. That doesn’t make February the only month that we should ask for help. I think this special month just has a way of accenting love in many different ways. I know the cynics in all of us are saying that Valentine’s Day is just a commercial holiday where we are obligated to purchase things we would normally not buy just to make our loved ones happy. I can’t say I disagree, but it can be different. We started a tradition in our family to make it a day where we concentrate on what the person really needs. Not jewelry. Not $200 flowers. Things that truly touch the heart and come from the heart.

Homemade cards. A personal video. A silly Squishmallow. A family picture in a frame. For me, when times get tough and I remember things that have changed in my life, those simple inspirations make me smile the most and bring back the love to my heart that no sparkle in a box could ever do. I truly believe these special gifts remind us of how lucky we are. Maybe they take a really hard moment and make it positive again. They remind us of when our children were young or the love on the day we got married and all the anniversaries that followed. Valentine’s Day has a special meaning for everyone. Make it a day filled with love, memories, and spending time with friends and family who support you and those we miss in our lives. Let’s not forget it’s a day of celebration, and a special red cocktail adds a dash of fun to the evening with loved ones. Happy Valentine’s Day with love and support to the community, family, and friends. ◆

RASPBERRY CRUSH

INGREDIENTS:

Fresh raspberries

.5 ounces agave syrup

.5 ounces fresh lime juice

.5 ounces raspberry liqueur

1.5 ounces tequila blanco

Ice

MIXOLOGY:

Add fresh raspberries to a glass

Add agave syrup

Add fresh lime juice

Crush ingredients until liquid

Add raspberry liqueur

Add tequila

Add a small scoop of ice

Pour ingredients into a shaker

Shake until blended and pour into a cocktail glass

Garnish the glass with fresh raspberries