I've never quite understood all the hype about Valentine's Day. And I worked for Hallmark for over a decade. It's just a day. It is exactly as important or as meaningless as you make it.
Me, I prefer the Valentine's Days of old. When we made mailboxes out of tissue and cereal boxes and passed out funny and silly cards with lollipops attached. Everyone was included and it was just fun. No pressure, no stress, just good times.
Now, I see all my friends in relationships stressing out over the perfect gift or date, and couples fighting about how important it is or isn't. Husbands cramming into stores for last minute flowers and cards, and restaurant lines filled with people who, if they were to be completely honest, would rather be home eating pizza and watching TV. I don't get it. If you love your spouse, you probably tell them that fairly often, right? (If not, maybe you should start.) Is a romantic gesture really that much more special or important because it came on February 14th? If your husband brought you flowers on April 6th, would you be angry? No, you'd probably think he's the best. So why does it matter? If you have a partner who loves, supports, respects and cares for you, why is 1 day out of a year so important? And if that is the ONLY day that your significant other shows you they care, you may want to rethink your relationship.
And don't get me started on my single friends...
People, it is just another day. Why get yourself all worked up and depressed over it? Does being single on February 14th differ that much from being single on February 17th? I mean, let's be honest, it really doesn't. If you didn't own a calender, and had no idea what the day was, would you even care? The answer is no. If you like chocolates and flowers THAT much, go buy yourself some. Or better yet, get together with other single friends and treat each other. We put enough pressure on ourselves every day of the year, is it really necessary to add a cheesy holiday? Being single isn't the best, I understand that. But it's also not the worst. Think of the reasons you are single. Didn't that last guy treat you like crap? So would you honestly rather be back in a bad relationship? If you said yes, you need more therapy than I am equipped to offer...
The point is, Valentines' Day is just a day. It's no different than any other, unless you make it so. So stop giving it so much power over you.
If you are in a good relationship, be grateful for it. 365 days a year, not just one. Surprise your partner with messages of love, or little treats on occasion, don't wait for the world to tell you to do it. I'll take spontaneous acts of love over demanded ones any day of the year.
And if you are single. Treat yourself to a massage, or plan a girls night. Do something to remind yourself that being single isn't a curse, and it isn't permanent. Good things come to those who wait, so be patient, and be good to yourself. Or do what I do, and buy a pack of kids Valentines, and pass them out to your friends. Attach a flower, or a candy bar, and make someone's day.
Just don't let one day out of a year become so important that you overlook the other 364. Happy Valentine's Day, my friends. You are all special, wonderful and beautiful to me.
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