And now I forget.

Given that the history of the holiday is so sketchy, I feel free to write on a clean slate. In other words, I can make it up, too.

And if you ask me, Valentine's Day is really about love. Not only romantic love, but also just plain love. And if you're not married or seeing someone, you can still have love in your life.

Observe.

In my case, I have tons of love in my life. I love my kid, my family, and my friends. I love the people I work with. I love my readers. I love my dogs, cats, and pony. I love spaghetti. I love opera. I love books. I love Brad Pitt in Legends of the Fall. Legends of the Fall.

In short, I love.

If I were going to improve on that maxim of Descartes, "I think, therefore I am," I'd say, "I love, therefore I am." Or instead of Pope's saying, "To err is human," I'd go with, "To love is human." Plus I agree completely with that great philosopher James Taylor, who tells us to "shower the people you love with love."

So I propose that, on Valentine's Day, we celebrate love. Shower the people you love with love. Don't take each other for granted. Recognize that we grow more valuable to each other as time pa.s.ses, not less. Raise a gla.s.s to someone you love, in celebration of an emotion that powers our best intentions, leads to our greatest happiness, and gives us the stories of the world's greatest operas, movies, and novels. our greatest happiness, and gives us the stories of the world's greatest operas, movies, and novels.

In addition to Gossip Girl Gossip Girl.

Now, there may be some of you reading this who have no one. Maybe you've lost someone, or they're far away, and you're left hiding in your house or apartment, waiting for Valentine's Day to pa.s.s.

Here's my advice to you: Find the love in your life, because it's all around you. And if you can't find it, make it yourself.

Make love.

And by that, I don't mean match.com.

I mean, adopt a dog and love it. Buy it a pretty collar and walk it around the block. A cat works, too. Cats like pretty collars, even though they're too proud to say so. Or get a fish. There's no shame in love you can buy, even if it has scales. I don't think goldfish get enough credit. Not everybody can look good in orange.

Or read a book that everyone says is great. You'll find a story you love, and maybe an author. Or if you don't like to read, go see Legends of the Fall. Legends of the Fall. You'll love Brad Pitt, whether you're a man or a woman. You'll love Brad Pitt, whether you're a man or a woman.

And if none of that appeals to you, volunteer at a shelter or a hospital. Cook a meal for the parents at Ronald McDonald House, like a friend of mine did.

Because the thing about love is that we can't control whether we get it, but we can control whether we give it.

And each feels as good as the other.

Your heart doesn't know whether it's loving a man, a TV show, or a guppy. If your heart were that smart, it would be your brain.

All your heart knows is that it's full and happy, and you will feel alive and human.

And next time, you will have a wonderful Valentine's Day.

And, better yet, a wonderful life.

Acknowledgments.

Usually, in my novels, the Acknowledgments are the place where I step out of character, write in my own voice, get personal, and thank people whom readers may not know. But this time, the entire book is personal, and you've already met those who deserve my deepest thanks-my extraordinary mother Mary, brother Frank, and daughter Francesca.

And my father, Frank Scottoline.

And don't forget best friends, also extraordinary, Franca and Laura.

I love them all and am so grateful to each and every one of them for permitting me to take the stuff of our everyday lives and make it public. Not every author has such an understanding crew, but I am blessed in so many ways, in them. So thank you all so much.

This book wouldn't have been possible without the opportunity afforded me by the great people at The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Philadelphia Inquirer. First, thanks to editor Sandy Clark, who helped me transition from 90,000 words to 900, every week. Weight loss has never been so much fun. Big thanks to publisher Brian Tierney, who has done so much for a city we both love, and thanks, too, Bill Marimow, Ed Mahlman, and Hilary Vadner. First, thanks to editor Sandy Clark, who helped me transition from 90,000 words to 900, every week. Weight loss has never been so much fun. Big thanks to publisher Brian Tierney, who has done so much for a city we both love, and thanks, too, Bill Marimow, Ed Mahlman, and Hilary Vadner.

Behind the scenes, too, is my wonderful agent Molly Friedrich, with her SWAT team of combination agents/cheerleaders/therapists, Paul Cirone and Lucy Carson. Lucy is the girl genius who called this book a mix tape, which I stole gratefully. Thanks so much and lots of love for all you have done for me and my books, for so many years.

Big thanks and love to the amazing people at St. Martin's Press: John Sargent, Sally Richardson, Matt Baldacci, Matthew Shear, Jeff Capshew, Courtney Fischer, John Murphy, John Karle, and Mary Beth Roche, Laura Wilson, and the other great folks in audio. And above all, my terrific editor, Coach Jen Enderlin.

Finally, permit me a special thank-you to my favorite tea bags-Jen, Molly, Laura, and Franca. These women are extraordinary in so many ways, and they make me feel that I can be myself and say it all, out loud. It's why they are not only great women but also great moms.

Thank you so much, ladies, for helping me find my own voice.

It's every woman's journey.

Also by Lisa Scottoline

Look Again Lady Killer Daddy's Girl Dirty Blonde Devil's Corner Killer Smile Dead Ringer Courting Trouble The Vendetta Defense Moment of Truth Mistaken Ident.i.ty Rough Justice Legal Tender Running from the Law Final Appeal Everywhere That Mary Went