February is already upon us! There is so much to look forward to, from the celebration of Black History Month to Super Bowl Sunday, to Valentine’s Day… and let’s not forget Groundhog Day (come on, Spring!)!
If you follow me on social media, you know my favorite hash tags include #lovewhereyoulive and #livewhereyoulove and there are plenty of reasons to love living here in the coming weeks:
2/11 and 2/12: Carriage Rides in Downtown Haddonfield
(visit https://www.downtownhaddonfield.com/ for details)
2/14 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.: Vow Renewals in Kings Court (courtesy of Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust)
(Visit https://haddonfieldsculpture.org/celebration-of-love/ for details)
I can attest that the vow renewals are truly something special: thanks to Mayor Rochford & HOST, my husband and I renewed our vows in 2020 on one of our last “date nights” before the pandemic began. Last year, I had the honor of officiating vow renewals for Kevin Roche and his wife, Lisa, and Frank Troy and his wife Debbie. Little did we know that a few months later the three of us would be elected to the Board of Commissioners. Weather & health permitting, I look forward to participating again – my first time as Mayor.
Luckily, we don’t have to wait until the weekend of February 11th-13th to share the love with our small business community. If you’re looking to spoil the loved ones on your Valentine’s list, please don’t forget to shop local this month! Our bakeries & confectioner’s shops are the perfect places to find sweets for your sweethearts; our jewelers & boutiques offer unique items for that special someone. And don’t forget – for those in need of stress relief or a few hours of pampering, our salons and spas deliver ah-mazing experiences.
Whatever your plans for February, I hope you’re able to spend time with someone you care about, in a place that makes you happy, right here in Haddonfield. In closing – both in celebration of love and in honor of Black History Month – I leave you with two (2) poems by Nikki Giovanni (if you aren’t familiar with her poetry, consider checking out one of her literary works from the Haddonfield Public Library):
A Poem of Friendship
We are not lovers
because of the love
we make
but the love
we have
We are not friends
because of the laughs
we spend
but the tears
we save
I don’t want to be near you
for the thoughts we share
but the words we never have
to speak
I will never miss you
because of what we do
but what we are
together
LOVE IS
Some people forget that love is
tucking you in and kissing you
“Good night”
no matter how young or old you are
Some people don’t remember that
love is
listening and laughing and asking
questions
no matter what your age
Few recognize that love is
commitment, responsibility
no fun at all
unless
Love is
You and me
