I'm not a girly girl.  I never have been.  I have two brothers and a dad who ran a sports camp for boys.  I spent my summers playing wiffle ball and my winter Sundays watching football.  (Bearsss.) 

Yet I love Valentine's Day. 

I loved giving perforated paper cards to my classmates in elementary school.  I loved the carnation exchanges in high school.  I love seeing drugstore candy aisles blush every January. 

"I love love."
--Steve Poltz.

Me too.  Call me cheesy.  I don't care. (On a related note, a friend recently sent me a text that said, "I love love."  But I don't think she was quoting Steve Poltz.  Or sober.)

There's only one problem.  I wish it were once a month instead of once a year, or better yet once a week.  I think we could all use a regular reminder to give kisses and say "I love you."  You can play it cool and roll your eyes, but I know you agree.  So here are some rules for a happy relationship to keep in mind every day, gathered from couples who have been married over fifty years and courtesy of Sunrise Senior Living:

• Don't Go to Bed Angry
  While many couples acknowledged that at times, they went to bed annoyed, they didn't let their anger linger.
• Share "I Love Yous" Regularly
  Some husbands and wives remember to share these words before going to work each morning while others found it a part of their nightly routine.
• Kiss Each Other Goodnight
Almost all of Sunrise's couples noted the importance of sharing love and affection regularly.
• Have an Argument Every Once in While
  Small misunderstandings are natural and working through them together is important.
• Respect and Trust Each Other
  A majority of couples said that respecting and trusting their spouse was an integral part of their success.
• Enjoy Time Together
  One couple encouraged newlyweds to create a series of honeymoons, while others reminisced about nights of dinner and dancing out on the town.
• Be Understanding and Compromise
  Some husbands joked that they do whatever their wives tell them, but all the couples attributed their happiness to recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of their spouse and mastering the art of give and take.
• Laugh Together
  Laughing with (and at!) each other was a common theme of the survey.
• Communicate and Listen
  All Sunrise couples recognized the importance of communicating with partners... and, of course, knowing when to "shut up."
• Celebrate Special Occasions
  Many couples shared stories of their romantic trips to mark birthdays, holidays and anniversaries, while others remarked that they spend every day like it's Valentine's Day.

Now respect your elders!