The Truth About Valentine's Day

This Friday is Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Day is a holiday where we celebrate love. I think. Or maybe we celebrate chocolate and roses. Or diamond jewelry. Honestly... I'm not really sure. What I AM sure about, is that it's weird.
If I only expressed my love for my partner one day out of the year, well... I probably wouldn't have a partner. The point is, shouldn't every day be Valentine's Day? And if you honor your love all year, and still want to go that extra mile on February 14th, more power to ya. I just don't get it. So you want to do all the stereotypical sh*t that every other person is doing, on the EXACT SAME DAY they are doing it?? OMG you bought her flowers??? SHOCKING!! (The latter should be in sarcasm font.)
Now don't get me wrong, I rather enjoy Valentine's Day. But not for the reasons you'd probably expect. I love the cheesiness, the corniness, the over the top-ness of it all. The glitter, the glitz, the sparkle & fun. The candy, the hearts, the pure happiness of it is grand. I love the IDEA of Valentine's Day more than I love the actual holiday. I am a highly affectionate individual, and if you know me, you can vouch for this. I am a hugger, kisser, pincher, spanker, tell you I love you-er. I adore the notion of a day where we tell people how we feel about them. I think this gives people who aren't as open as myself, the chance to share their feelings, emotions, and heart-felt truths. The problem, is that most people don't do that. They share someone else's feelings. They buy a card filled with flowery, beautiful words, but they aren't THEIR words. They buy the gifts that they think they are supposed to, not the gifts that come from the heart.
This is why I think Valentine's Day is weird, and I don't get it.
I don't celebrate Valentine's Day in the traditional sense. The hubs and I have never really done that. It's just not our thing. But I DO celebrate it. I often buy or make special cards & gifts, and share them with people I care about. Friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, etc. I try to focus on people who may not otherwise get a Valentine, or who can use some extra care. I think everyone deserves to be told they are loved, even if that love comes from the goofy relative, or girl next door.
I prefer the grade school days of handmade mailboxes, and cards & treats for everyone. You saved the best cards for your crushes, but no one was left out. It was a fun, carefree, happy time.
Now a days, Valentine's Day feels more like a f*ck you to all the single people, and a relationship test for all the couples. Ladies are filled with expectations, and guys are sweating bullets, hoping to stay out of the doghouse. The pressure to force "romance" and keep up with the next guy would make anyone crazy.
I worked for Hallmark for over 15 years, and in all that time, I can count on one hand how many people I saw come in actually excited and happy about Valentine's Day. The rest were just following the crowd, and doing what they thought was expected of them. Is that what love should be? An expectation? Is that how you judge the quality of adoration? With flowers and chocolates? If it is, maybe you need to rethink your standards.
I guess my point is this: If you want to celebrate on Friday, go for it. Buy all the chocolates, overpriced flowers, jewelry, and fancy dinners you can afford. Shower your partner with rose petals, and champagne, if that's what makes you happy. But do it BECAUSE it makes you happy. Not because you think you have to. And if that's not your thing... stay home, order Chinese, watch funny movies, and eat yourself into an ice cream coma. Celebrate however you want to celebrate, not how some advertiser or stereotype tells you to. Valentine's Day is about love, in whatever form that comes in. Whether it's between spouses, friends, family, or even just yourself. And if February 14th is the only day you celebrate that love... I feel sorry for you. But if it is... well then, by all means... go crazy, and get that extra large teddy bear, since it will probably be the only thing you get to cuddle for awhile.
Happy Valentine's Day, Berry Friends. I love you all, and not just one day of the year.

 

Valentine's Day

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. For some, this is exciting and you can't wait. For others, it is the worst day of the year. For me, it's just another day...
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.