🌈 1397 – Saturday, 14 February 2026 | 23:13 London

Happy Valentine’s Day. Rather a bike-around kind of day for me today. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful bright day.

My bike had been playing up for a while, and I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with it. I tried a few places, but it looked like it needed more attention. I had asked my good mate a few times where he gets his bike fixed, and finally I decided to take it to his area and his local shop. I phoned him yesterday evening (Friday) and said I would head over towards Whitechapel later that evening.

Around 17:30 yesterday, I left home on my bike. It was still rideable, but the front wheel had somehow gone wonky. I took the longer route by the river, from Green Park to Embankment, via Blackfriars Bridge towards Tower Bridge, then Cable Street, and cut through to Whitechapel.

I had asked my mate to meet me downstairs so we could get the bike sorted first. I reached around 6 pm. The first thing we did was take the bike to the shop. We left it there, went to the supermarket next door, and by the time we came back, it was fixed. It took the mechanic about five minutes – somehow, he just fixed it.

I hadn’t been out east to see my mate in a few days. We thought we’d watch something and chill that evening. We already had tickets booked to see the Queen’s House, which had just reopened after refurbishment in Greenwich. The plan had been for me to wake up early and bike to Greenwich today, but since I went over yesterday evening, I stayed at my mate’s place instead. We always have a good catch-up and a proper laugh.

This morning we woke up nice and easy. It was freezing outside, 2 degrees. Still, we biked. Multiple layers, gloves, full sleeves, jumper, jacket, hat, extra layers. It was cold but actually quite nice. We saw a few other cyclists, too. Luckily, it wasn’t slippery. And my bike was perfect – no issues at all.

The Queen’s House exhibition by the Maritime Museum in Greenwich was beautiful. A spectacular building – massive, many rooms, built in the 16th century. Very lavish, very elegant. A lot of thought and time must have gone into building it. Someone must have truly loved it to make it their home. It must have been incredible to live there – huge, yet beautiful.

There was a grand round staircase, a stunning white-and-black central area visible from above, the King’s chamber, his private audience room – room after room with beautiful elevations and designs. British royalty from that era and how they lived in that century. It’s good to see it so well preserved and maintained.

We spent about an hour there, then went next door to the Maritime Museum. Beautiful naval history on display. British naval royalty and its elegance, showcasing the ships they once had. Unlike today, with flights, cars and everything else, back then, ships were the main thing. The ships they built were spectacular. The Maritime Museum in London displays the designs of those ships from the past. It’s worth seeing – realising how advanced we’ve become, but also how technical and skilled they were at that time, figuring everything out manually and perhaps living less stressful lives. Beautiful to see. That was the second exhibition.

By then, we were hungry. We went for an English breakfast in Greenwich. It was almost lunchtime, but breakfast is usually available most of the day.

We both ordered a full English breakfast, hot drinks, and one sticky toffee pudding to share. The service was very good. The lady serving us was sweet and genuinely happy with our energy – we were being funny about the food, asking lots of questions and making changes. She happily accommodated everything. My mate and I were even admiring her effort – she had beautiful lipstick on, proper makeup done while serving breakfast. It was a cool place. The other girls were nice too, but she stood out. We were even guessing her name – Patricia or Svetlana. We didn’t ask. Let her remain a sense of beauty and imagination.

After breakfast, we rode back to Whitechapel. Usually, when I’m there, we get haircuts together at a shop we always go to. Last time I went alone, they kept asking, “Where’s your friend?” And when my mate went alone, they asked him the same about me. So this time we went together. They were happy to see us both.

We got our haircuts and headed back. We were knackered by then. Took a 20-minute nap. I actually fell asleep, and I heard my mate snoring too – so we clearly needed it. It was around 16:30. I said farewell around 17:00 and headed back home.

My mate always says I take the long way along the river, so I decided to follow Google Maps through the city instead. My God. It took me through central London – Covent Garden and all those narrow streets. It was packed. So full, so busy. Valentine’s Day crowds are everywhere. Cars, traffic, couples carrying flowers. Every few minutes, I saw single roses wrapped in plastic lying on the ground here and there.

It took nearly 50 minutes to get home. It originally said 30. But what do you expect? Central London on Valentine’s Day, especially Covent Garden.

It didn’t matter how long it took. I was glad to see the red roses all over the streets. There must be a beautiful story behind each one. Someone gave it to someone. Someone loves someone.

Did I feel love today?

Yes.

I felt love yesterday when my friend was rushing me, saying “Come, come, come,” while we were biking, making sure I was okay behind him as we rode through Whitechapel and Greenwich.

Did I feel love?

Yes.

I felt love during breakfast – the kindness of the waitress, her warmth, her smile, her compassion. That small human interaction. That effort.

Did I feel love?

Yes.

One of my best, best, best mates from college since 2005 – now married with a son in Australia – we were inseparable in our university hostel days. Life moved on. But every Valentine’s Day back then, everyone would wish everyone “Happy Valentine’s Day.” As you grow older, the meaning changes. People think it’s only for partners – boyfriend, girlfriend, wife, husband. But back then, it was different.

This mate and I still wish each other every year. I forgot this year. While I was in Greenwich, I received a text: “Hi ra, how are you? Happy Valentine’s Day.” (Ra means dude.) That was love.

Did I feel love?

Yes.

I texted my mother this morning to say I was out, since it was Saturday and she knows I’m not working. When I got home around 17:50, after that long bike ride, there was a missed call from her. She was checking in: “Tone, where have you been all day? Everything okay?” That was love, too.

I told her about my day – met a friend, fixed the bike, had breakfast, got a haircut, just got home.

Did I feel love?

Yes.

After a long day, when I put my legs up, ate something, then sat at this desk to write my heart out – that too is love.

So happy Valentine’s Day to you and to me. I love you so much.

It doesn’t have to be a special day to be something special to someone. We are special to ourselves, to the people around us, to our friends, family, and even strangers we meet at some point in life. Somehow, at the right time, we attract people and circumstances exactly when both sides are ready.

Spread love. Give love. Say please. Say thank you. Say hi, love, how are you? Keep your vocabulary positive, loving, and compassionate – to people and even to objects that cannot speak. Everything around us just is.

Three things I felt grateful for today:

• Grateful for the lovely day I had.

• Grateful that my bike is fully fixed after months of waiting.

• Grateful to have love in my life – with family, friends, and things mostly in order. There are so many things we can be grateful for, even when we think we don’t have enough.

What would it take for me – and for you – to wake up ten times bigger, stronger, leaner, healthier, happier? To wake up early, have a good workout, have everything okay with family and friends, and everyone around us, then enjoy a relaxing, relaxing, relaxing yet productive day tomorrow?

Sign up for the monthly letter below.

Good night, good luck.

Ash Khaleem