The Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement, founded by Scarlett Lewis, mother of 6-year-old Sandy Hook School shooting victim, Jesse, is a social-emotional learning program. This February, the Movement launched its 7th Annual Choose Love Awareness Month promoting courage, gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion. It is program particularly fitting, with Valentine’s Day on the horizon and love in the air. We have noticed, though, love is routinely in the air in our town. Even as a pandemic continues to suppress hugging, hand holding, and double cheek kisses, love in its purest form permeates Newtown.

Here are just a few of the things we love; no doubt, you can add to the list:

*We love that Connecticut is in the top tier of states getting vaccinations into arms.

*We love that most people comply with COVID protocols.

*We love opportunities to share love this Valentine’s Day, remotely: the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers’ “Love Letters” contest; the Newtown Forest Association’s “Why I Love Trees” contest; and Economic and Community Development’s #WeLoveNewtownCTBiz promotion.

*We love the efforts to engage people safely over the many months of this pandemic, from the first Newtown Shop Small Decoration Contest (congratulations to Sabrina Style!) to the RedGate Farm Holiday Decorating Contest and the Pet Costume Contest, to name just a very few.

*We love that Newtown Congregational Church has repeatedly opened its doors to host multiple Red Cross blood drives.

*We love that Trinity Episcopal Church has hosted a video discussion program about race and racism.

*We love those who have alerted our community to uncomfortable issues of racism and lack of diversity.

*We love the Newtown Senior Center Zoom and in-person programs, as well as their popular drive-in Lunch & Learn events.

*We love that this community has rallied around families devastated by home fires and illness this past fall and winter.

*We love the support given to FAITH Food Pantry, allowing it to get meals on the tables of those in need.

*We love the highway crews who keep our roads safe through windstorms, snowstorms, and whatever else Mother Nature throws this way.

*We love our board and commission members, taking on difficult tasks to keep our town running.

*We love the C.H. Booth Library for providing safe ways for patrons to select books, either in person or through its curbside services; and for its numerous virtual programs for residents of all ages, most of them free of charge.

*We love the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library for its positive anticipation of a summer 2021 Book Sale.

*We love that people are finding comfort and giving comfort through pet adoptions.

*We love that our volunteer emergency responders never let us down, despite exposure to a deadly virus.

*We love the natural beauty of Newtown’s open spaces allowing residents, in this unforeseen time of COVID, to find a place to deeply breathe and see the wonder around us.

We love that in Newtown, courage, gratitude, forgiveness, and compassion are practiced; that we do choose love.

Happy Valentine’s Day!