Valentine’s Day

Happy Valentine’s Day! I’m a big fan of Valentine’s Day – which is surprising as I’m really not a relationship person (let’s just say… I’m a Samantha). But growing up I always received sweet cards and tasty treats from my parents on Valentine’s Day, and I have a lot of happy memories. Besides, I’ve always liked the idea of having a whole day just to tell people you love them – love and be loved!

A lack of overlapping time in our schedules meant that Mr Laila and I went for special Valentine’s picnic breakfast on Friday morning – a day early, but we missed the crowds and had the place to ourselves. I love Regents Park – even when the flowers aren’t in full bloom (it’s a bit early at the moment) the gardens and layout are so beautiful and it’s so easy to get lost exploring. Plus, it’s dog haven!

This is one of the more romantic Valentine’s I’ve had in recent years (despite the fact it looks like I’m by myself in these photos – my sweetheart is camera-shy). Last year I was performing and partying in sequins and Minnie Mouse ears – seems I can’t escape them as I’ve got a similar outfit for Quizney tomorrow (and a similar number of rehearsals)! Let me know what you’re up to for Valentine’s and I hope you all have a good one. X

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Magic

Sometimes you meet people and they make everything feel magic. Those people who can immediately lock into your brain and understand. Maybe you sit around picking out constellations together. Maybe they make streetlights seem beautiful. Maybe they turn hours into adventures. Maybe they drive across two counties to look after you when your kidneys give up even though you can only communicate through squeaking and tears. Maybe they remember every stupid thing you have ever said to them when you yourself have long forgotten. Maybe they can count to ten.

Maybe they pop into your life for a few days per year and then vanish into the ether again, leaving your world rearranged and fluttering. Maybe they are next to you all the time, an endless source of magic for all your boring days. Maybe you’ve never met them, but you can feel them so keenly they’ve had a huge, life-shaping impact on you anyway, channeling their own magic into your words, your thoughts, your attempts.

The people you meet for an hour and know you want in your life forever. The people who inspire you just by turning up. The people you can’t possibly let go of even though you understand the lesser power of your own potential magic. They’re not always yours to keep. That’s just the way it goes sometimes.