“Though February is short, it is filled with lots of love and surprises.”
Charmaine J. Forde
Even though it is the shortest month of the year, February is full of observances, holidays and fun things to do. Here are just a few of the things we can look forward to this month.
The month, of course, begins with Groundhog Day on February 2. Will Punxsutawney Phil wake from his winter slumber, emerge from his burrow and see his shadow? Cloudy skies are predicted for that day this year, so he may NOT … we may just have an early spring! A good way to celebrate the day is to curl up and watch the hilarious “Groundhog Day” (1993) starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. The movie is about a cynical TV weatherman (Murray) who finds himself reliving the same day over and over again when he goes to Punxsutawney, PA to film a report about the town’s annual Groundhog Day festival. Not only does the movie supply plenty of laughter, it also delivers a message of change, love, and being a good person.
Are you ready for some football? Super Bowl LVIII takes place on Sunday, February 11 and will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The halftime show will feature R&B icon, Usher. Super Bowl Sunday is the biggest snack day of the year and is also the most-watched game of the year.
Love is in the air! February is described as the month of love. Valentine’s Day is always observed on February 14, a day to show our love and affection for those closest to our hearts. There are so many ways to celebrate the day, including cards, flowers, chocolate and jewelry, and a romantic dinner out with your sweetheart. Red roses, a popular Valentine’s Day gift, are the universal symbol of romantic love. Valentine’s Day is also a popular day to get married or become engaged.
February is Black History Month and we also celebrate the birthdays of two U.S. Presidents: Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. President’s Day is always observed on the third Monday of the month, this year on February 19. It’s always fun to check out those big President’s Day retail sales.
Who doesn’t love a good doughnut? Paczki Day is celebrated on Fat Tuesday, February 8 (the day before Ash Wednesday). A paczki is a yummy, Polish doughnut filled with a variety of fruit or custard fillings and topped with powdered sugar or icing.
There are also a few wacky (but fun) national observances on the calendar this month: Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, Shower with a Friend Day, Gumdrop Day, Pizza Day, Tooth Fairy Day and Margarita Day, to name a few. Celebrating or laughing about these special days can help brighten up a month that is often snowy, cloudy and dreary.
The month of February has a happy ending as it is a Leap Year, which adds one day to the year’s shortest month. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, adding the extra day every four years keeps our calendar aligned correctly with the astronomical seasons.
As February comes to a close, we find ourselves thinking about the promise of spring. In the inspiring words of poet Patience Strong: “While it is February, one can taste the full joys of anticipation. Spring stands at the gate with her finger on the latch.”
