'Tis the month of everything L-O-V-E, love, love, love! And while my plea and my prayer to you (and for you) every month, and every day, is to love (and to BE loved,) I can't deny that even I give some special attention to the topic at hand during the month of February.

Love really is what makes the world go 'round. From the day we're born until the day we die, love is one of our primary needs. That's why I say it so often on my radio program; Love Someone.

Some may think I'm just talking to those involved in - or wanting to be - or stinging from - romantic relationships, but most of you know by now that when I encourage you to Love Someone, I mean EVERYONE!

Your parents, your siblings, your children, friends, and members of your community. Love is all-encompassing and we need it in a world that throws us curve balls daily.

Love is the foundation to our existence, our society, our family, and our selves. Caring for others, seeing to their needs, and being "other focused" shores up our own reserves for when things sometimes get a little bleak.

And what to do when those bleak times come? This is the time to practice self-care, and to nurture our own hearts. I've found that nothing soothes my hurting heart more that art and creativity.

It's the very topic of my LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah podcast that will be published Valentine's week, make sure you've subscribed!

February Book Club | Lionheart
by David Francisco Platillero

About a year ago, I ran across one of the most touching videos on Facebook… it was a wedding proposal in the sweetest of settings, a wooded area with sparkling twinkly lights, and two of the most beautifully earnest people who were obviously over-the-moon in love. The man walked with the aid of forearm crutches, before getting to his knees, and from the second she realized what was unfolding, the woman was crying…

Fast forward to an email I received a few weeks back telling me that the man kneeling in that video had written a book and recorded a music CD chronicling his journey - their journey - of "love, forgiveness, and the power of music."

David Francisco Platillero is his name, and the first 24 years of his life read a bit like an American fairy tale; a happy, smart, and capable kid growing up in Knoxville, Tennessee with a loving, supportive family.

Involved in church, school, and music, and very very active, David went on to college and got a degree in electrical engineering, but soon decided that music, and music production, was where his heart and his passion lie. So in April of 2016, he packed up a few belongings and headed to Nashville where he'd enrolled in The Blackbird Academy (Owned by John and Martina McBride) to become the best music producer he could be.

23 days later the world David knew stopped. He was hit while riding his bicycle by a distracted driver, gravely injured, and told he would never walk again.

On February 14, 2020 his book, Lionheart, and the accompanying CD will be released. (I got an advanced copy!) Chapter by chapter, David recounts the days after the accident. Lionheart is an eloquent self-portrait of the talented musical artist that captures the pain, the progress the lessons, the love, and the miracles that define David's new life.

By no coincidence, the chapters and song titles match, and David's recommendation is that you read a chapter and then listen to the corresponding song for the story to be an experiential one for you, the reader, as well as for him, the writer. "Lionheart is a book. Lionheart is a CD. Lionheart is a movement that aims to empower people to find purpose."

Podcasts | Richard Marx, Celine Dion, Dani Shapiro

I've had three terrific podcast episodes drop since my last newsletter. Three incredible conversations with three incredible people.

The amazing Richard Marx, about his life, his music, and much much more! The courageous Celine Dion; where she's at, where's she's been, and where she's going from here. And successful author and podcast host, Dani Shapiro, regarding her latest book "Inheritance" about the BIG family secret she uncovered, as well as her podcast series, "Family Secrets" speaking to others who have discovered skeletons hidden amongst the leaves in their family trees.

Next up, on February 11th, will be my friend, artist, and teacher, Elizabeth St. Hilaire, all about using art as a healing salve, and then, on February 25th, David Platillero and his bride Kristi, join me to chat about Lionheart, the book, the music, and the movement...

Subscribe to LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah via iHeartRadio, iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast platform. You may also listen using the play button on Delilah.com/podcast.

Be My Valentine | 'Top Three'

Jewelry, Candy & Flowers are the Top Three gifts given on Valentine's Day and I have some recommendations for you in those areas! Some of my favorite sponsors just happen to have some of your favorite (and MY favorite) items, all easy to obtain and gratefully accepted by your Valentine!

A new sponsor to the Delilah show, Alex and Ani has the perfect gift for every type of Valentine!

A company with a conscious, they've donated more than $46 million dollars to non-profits world-wide! With gorgeous, meaningful jewelry designs and eco-conscious manufacturing, my girls and I love their pieces! Radiate LOVE this year with a perfect gift from the heart, for the heart, from Alex and Ani!

Almond ROCA
by Brown & Haley

My all-time favorite candy is a golden choice when looking for something Sweet for your Sweet! Nothing says I Love You like that little stick of buttercrunch toffee, enrobed in chocolate and covered in delicious almond nuggets! Every piece of Almond ROCA is individually gold foil wrapped and sealed for freshness, making each one a very special treat!

Find sweet treats for your sweetheart at Brown & Haley!

The Home Depot Flower & Garden Department

Cut flowers are lovely, but fade all too quickly for me! I love receiving potted plants and flowers, then choosing the perfect spot to place them in my garden.

If your loved one is the flower power type, give them a gift from the Flower and Garden Department of The Home Depot! Pick something that will make the rose-of-your-heart blossom. Annuals, perennials, bulbs, or house plants can all be found in the Flower & Garden Department of your local The Home Depot!

Food | Oh My Heart!

Ever made an "Egg in a Basket?" Here's an easy Valentine's take on an old standby, a heart-felt and happy way to start the day of a loved one!

• Butter both sides of a piece of bread (The one in the photo is a gluten free "sprouted grain" variety.)
• Place on a hot griddle or pan and toast one side, then use the cookie cutter to cut out a heart-shaped hole in the center (use caution and common sense doing this so as not to burn yourself.)
• Flip the bread over and break an egg into the hole. (Cover for a few moments with a lid to fully cook the egg without having to turn it.)
• Flip the heart-shaped cut-out and toast alongside the egg in the basket.
• Serve it up to your sweetie with some fruit and their favorite breakfast beverage (coffee, tea or juice) for a memorable and delicious Valentine's Day breakfast!

Don't put that cookie cutter away just yet! Use it to make heart-shaped sandwiches, apple slices, and brownie pieces for lunch, or any number of foods you think up on your own!

So many of you responded to my social media posts about the little wooden disks I've been painting (shared in this newsletter last month) that it inspired me to open an Etsy shop. I've been painting like crazy in between taking your calls in the evening, and I'm selling these little creations and donating all the profits to Point Hope.

So if you want a little piece of original artwork, check out my shop StudioDelilah, on Etsy.com. Each piece is signed on the back, and the disk is drilled and strung with a piece of jute, to hang where ever it will bring you the most pleasure.

You can bet I'll take my own advice about the cookie cutter on Valentine's Day this year. There'll be Egg-in-a-(Heart-Shaped)-Basket, along with heart-shaped pancakes, and heart-shaped fruit on Friday morning. There will be heart-shaped grilled-cheese sandwiches, dipped in red tomato soup, with heart-shaped croutons floating on top for lunch. There'll be red mashed potatoes, and maybe even heart-shaped chicken cutlets, or pork chops, at dinner time. Everywhere there will be an abundance of love and family.

I hope the same for you. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!! And please... Love Someone,

-Delilah