Beginning in 2013, I started crafting Valentine’s Day playlists for my lovely wife, LaShera. It started as a cute idea and has since become an annual tradition.

She waits patiently every year until exactly February 14 before peeking at the fresh list. That’s quite the act of self control, considering we share a Spotify account, and she has 364 days to watch its contents grow.

Those lists will only ever become public if she decides to share them.

However, revisiting the lists this year, I noticed recurring themes related to travel, locations, nature, distance and longing. So, I thought I would share a special list with you, pulling from those tracks related to those themes.

You won’t find the traditional love songs and ballads. These aren’t your typical “greatest of 90s love songs.” These are tracks specially curated for my one and only, from my eclectic musical tastes.

More than anything, this is a tribute to my greatest travel companion — my wife. The opening song is decidedly not related to the theme. However, it holds a special place for me, so I thought it would be worthy as the starter. Enjoy.

NOTE: I always promise to give warning if lists may not be intended for the full family. And, given the flirty nature of that special relationship of a husband to wife, a few of these songs, are not designed for a family car sing-along. But, if it’s you and your significant other, turn it up and enjoy.

Brendan James — “Stupid for your Love”
“I’m smarter than your average Jonathan or Joe; I could fill a hundred suitcases with everything I know; but I am stupid for your love.”

Bruno Major — “It Wouldn’t Mean a Thing Without You”
“I could climb the Himalayan mountains; or the pyramids in West Peru; I could travel back in time and hear Al Green sing; it wouldn’t mean a thing without you”

Kurt Hugo Schneider, Sam Tsui, Alyson Stoner — “Anywhere With You Is Home”
“Spent new years eve once in Times Square; breathed in the London air, but if it ain’t with you who cares; My passport’s thick from all that we’ve been through; but, the best thing I’ve seen is you.”

Grant Terry — “Malibu”
“And I’ll take you down to Malibu; I wanna run away with you; It doesn’t matter matter matter what we do.”

Alex di Leo — “Brooklyn Bridge”
“Come on; meet me on the Brooklyn Bridge; we don’t got no money but we’re stupid rich.”

A Great Big World — “Oasis”
“When we’re lost in a desert night; and we’re chasing our paradise; when we can’t fight another fight; we’re gonna make it; you’re my oasis.”

Judah & the Lion — “Our Love”
“Like the trees wait; for the rain to come; I feel hope; in the strength of our love.”

The Struts — “Only Just a Call Away”
“When the sun comes from the west; that’s where you’ll find my silhouette; or ride a cloud come back to you; without a warning, warning.”

Odessa — “I Will Be There”
“From the mountains to the sea; and the city; from the valleys to the moon; in every country; I will be there; standing beside you.”

John Mayer — “Wildfire”
“You look fine, fine, fine; put your feet up next to mine; we can watch that water line get higher and higher; say, say, say; ain’t it been some kind of day; you and me been catching on like a wildfire.”

Lifehouse — “Storm”
“If I could just see you; everything would be all right; if I’d see you; this darkness would turn to light; and I will walk on water.”

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals — “Ooh la la”
“If I was from Paris; if I was from Paris; I would say ooh la la la la la la la; ooh la la la la la la.”

Alex Care — “I Won’t Let You Down”
“Just another grey autumn day; you’re the sunshine trying to break through; no I never imagined that my path would lead to you.”

Bruno Mars — “Just the Way You Are”
“Oh, her eyes, her eyes make the stars look like they’re not shinin’; her hair, her hair falls perfectly without her trying; she’s so beautiful and I tell her everyday.”

Castro — “Waters of Jordan”
“You speak in light, to all of my senses; with every move across the room you have my attention; with only a whisper, you make me crumble; like the walls of Jericho.”

Barry Louis Polisar — “I Need You Like a Donut Needs a Hole”
“I love you like flowers love the sun; like birds love to fly and kids like to run; like trees love leaves and leaves turn brown; like rabbits in the meadow like to hop around.”

Do you have an amazing track I should check out? Leave it in the comments below or send me an email from the “contact” link on the menu.