Embracing Your Beauty and True Self This Valentine's - Love, Skin Deep and Beyond

Hey Beautiful Souls,

In a world obsessed with Instagram-perfect love stories, Valentine's Day can feel like the Super Bowl of superficial affection.

Here's a thought: What if we've got it all wrong about Valentine's Day? What if it's not about snaring the perfect partner with overpriced chocolates and grand gestures but about something deeper, something more personal?

Remember the Valentine's ads pushing for that sparkly ring, suggesting love's only legit if there's a diamond involved? Yeah, let's talk about that. My friends and I once sobbed over single roses like they were tragic tokens of lost love. "No card, no love," we'd declare, drowning our sorrows in wine and threats never to date again because men are losers.

I'm truly embarrassed to admit how long I let Hallmark and Hershey's dictate my worth on Valentine's Day. 

In 2005, post-breakup, I found myself in church, of all places, on Valentine's Day. The preacher said something that stuck: "God is love, and that love is everywhere — not just in some dude who forgot to make dinner reservations." Mind. Blown. If divine love is in everything, then why are we outsourcing our happiness?

So, I embarked on a mission to debunk the myths of mainstream romance. Here's what I've learned:

1. The Love Audit: Before you draft your partner's improvement plan, ask yourself, "When was the last time I was the partner I'm seeking?"
2. DIY Love: Waiting for someone else to make you happy? Plot twist: Happiness is a DIY project.
3. The Inside Job: Seeking love? Spoiler alert: The treasure hunt ends where it starts — with you.

Love isn't about grand gestures or ticking societal boxes. It's messy, loud, and sometimes, it's about finding peace in your own company (or with your dog, who's probably the most consistent lover you'll ever know).

So, as we approach Valentine's Day, let's redefine love. Not as a quest for external validation but as an inner journey of self-acceptance. Your skincare routine isn't just about looking good; it's a ritual of self-care and love. Next time you're applying that hydrating serum, remember, it's not just your skin that's soaking in love — it's your soul, too.

This Valentine's, let's not just fall in love with someone else. Let's fall in love with ourselves, our journey, and yes, our beautifully imperfect skin. Because the greatest love story you'll ever write is the one you pen for yourself.

Much love to you, Cody and the Montarbo team