I decided to be different.
I decided to see if sparks are still flying every which way today. I decided to see if anyone is still exchanging gifts--or maybe it's just one sided, as society has led us to embrace... (kudos to all the men that go out there and proudly purchase cute & cuddly teddy bears, a humongous box of chocolates and flowers that have to be just the right quantity and quality). I also decided to see if couples have suddenly forgotten just how special their significant other is. ...I'll let you ponder this.
I don't even want to get into the history of Valentine's Day, so I'll just get to the point. I really like Valentine's Day (or, Singles Awareness Day) because it generally signifies a lot of positive feelings. I could have easily said romance or love, but that's not necessary with Valentine's Day at all. I received a Valentine's gift (candy) from one of my closest friends with an appreciative note attached, and that made me smile because I appreciated having her in my life as well. It was just a little reminder that the friendship that we share matters, which really meant a lot. This was just as special as receiving a box of chocolate in a heart-shaped box and a stuffed animal from my Valentine sweetheart, yet his meaning went far beyond the meaning my friend had in mind, of course.
People say Valentine's Day is overrated, stupid, ridiculous and my favorite term, "a Hallmark holiday," which could all very well be true! But why be so quick to judge the day based on what you've seen everyone else do each year on February 14?
I believe that there are way too many people that forget the importance of every day before and after Valentine's Day. Roses and stuffed animals are nice, chocolate is great, the color scheme is pretty, poems and letters to your significant other is cute... but what happens a week from then?
- Will your money on flowers be spent on something "more important"?
- Will another stuffed animal just "take up more space than necessary"?
- Will the chocolate suddenly become "cavities in a heart shaped box" or simply, unhealthy for your significant other?
- Will you forget how to write that cute poem because the Feb. 14 inspiration from media and advertisements have suddenly disappeared?
This goes along the lines of Why wait until January 1 at 12 a.m. to make changes you wish to see in your life? (See my "Merry New Year" Blog).
Valentine's Day should be a day of bliss, but so should all the other days of the year! People blame other people of being bitter on February 14, but ever stop and ask yourself: "What did I do for him/her the other 364 days that expressed that I truly cared?" and "Why am I waiting for February 14 to arrive, to express my love for this person who is special to me?"
Only you know those answers.
