Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day

​Ah, Valentine's Day... the holiday of love... How can you go wrong with a holiday like that?  I was surprised to find out how just the opposite is true!  There is more passionate debate about this holiday, it seems that saying "Merry Christmas" over "Happy Holidays!"  In talking with people, it is definitely a love/hate kind of thing.  You either love it or hate it.

I, personally, love it.  My philosophy is all about loving one another, so how could I possibly be against it?  The comments I am hearing are a lot from singles.  Why should they like Valentine's Day when they don't have a sweetheart to call their own?  And others are just upset at the sheer commercialism of it all.

Having my own blog has it perks every once in a while and this is one of them.  I get to have my own happy way and get up on my soapbox and say what I want.  You are welcome to continue reading, in fact I encourage it, but if you don't want to, it won't hurt my feelings!  This is my room and you are welcome here, but brace yourself, I'm going to defend one of my favorite holidays...

My argument is this.  People choose to celebrate holidays in different ways.  Why should this one be any different?  And who cares if it was created to generate more business for the card and floral industries, in any other text that would be called good business!  And no one ever said it is just for couples!  The holiday is about love!  But let's face it, ladies, sometimes men need a little help showing their affection in different ways.  And Valentine's Day makes gift-giving a no-brainer!  You can't go wrong and marketing won't let you forget!!  It's a win-win.

And let me address the argument that "if the men don't get just the right thing, or they forget all together, it causes strain in the relationship."  Well, it's not the holiday that did that.  That goes a little deeper than only one day a year.  Men love this holiday just as much as the women!  More proposals happen on this day than any other holiday.  Every store and even every gas station is geared so men- who want to make even the tiniest effort- can't possibly mess it up!  One holiday shouldn't be able to have the power to make or break a relationship.  If it does, there were problems before February 14th came around.

"It's just another reason for men to have to spend money.  And if they don't spend the right amount, it makes them look bad."  Again, I say, read the above paragraph.  It shouldn't be about the money.  I know a thoughtful gift that didn't cost much would mean more than a gift that took no thought at all.  Anyone can purchase a dozen roses (and believe me, I love cut flowers as much as the next girl) but if she hates roses, you have missed your mark.  But a gift showing her that you KNOW her, is priceless.  A letter, is one of the most romantic things that is a lost art anymore.  A special outing to someplace you know she would like.  Or someplace completely new that will create new memories.  It's not about the money, boys.  Gifts don't have to cost a fortune to be special.  But yes, it's more than the thought that counts!  A little action, please.

"You shouldn't have to have a holiday to tell someone you love them."  No, and you shouldn't have to have a day to remind you to rejoice in the Lord either, but we do.  And we commercialize the heck out of it too!  It's a fun day!!  Stop trying to make it more than what it is!  Yes, you should love your people every day and yes, you should show them in some way or another so they constantly feel loved, but some people need this day to kick their people into gear!  Some women have to wait all year to get a bouquet of flowers sent to their job letting all the office know that her man loves her.  And if it takes that one day to make her feel that joy, so be it!  You're relationship is a daily work in progress.  Valentine's Day is an EXTRA day of love and showing love and remembering why you love, and love for the sake of loving.  

"Companies like Hallmark and jewelry stores and florists profit ten fold during this time of year!"  And your point is???  You don't have to buy a card from Hallmark... it's still freedom of choice around here.  No one complains that Budweiser takes up a huge chunk of the Superbowl!  But have a Hallmark commercial make you cry and you boycott a holiday?  And talk about a price mark-up!!  Anyone who has bought ANYTHING from the ball park during a game has felt the sting of ten-fold profit!!  But we buy it anyway.  Every holiday has its share of price mark-ups.  It too, is the American way.  We pay more for gas over the three day weekends, we pay more money for a fir tree thats going to die in a month, we pay a fortune for eggs... EGGS! because we want to paint them pretty colors, but only in April.  This holiday is no different.

Thanks to our American commercialism, we have taken a small drinking holiday that didn't even belong to us and turned it into a major party to where the nation is allowed to be Irish for a day and wear green to be protected from pinching!  And only in America can we glorify lucky clovers and leprechauns and green tinted food.  I don't hear that holiday getting any flack.  And yes, the price of beer, ham, cabbage, green beaded necklaces and anything green goes up ten-fold in price!

"I'm single, so it's just another day."  It doesn't have to be.  It amazes me how many people let this holiday that stands for love, throw them into depression!  What is that all about??  It's just a day!  It doesn't define who you are!  Goodness!  And it's not just for couples!  Love your friends with little tokens of appreciation.  Love your children with candies and goodies and cards.  Love your pup with a heart-shaped rawhide.  Love your mate with heart-shaped pancakes and flowers and love notes.  Heck love your waitress a little extra with a bigger tip.  I haven't had a Valentine in years but it doesn't makes me love this holiday any less.  Maybe there will be one in my future, maybe there won't.  But I enjoy having the "excuse" (and the ease) of spoiling those I care for with a whole day of love!

We shouldn't have to be told to love each other, but thank goodness we have a holiday to do just that.  So quit your bah-humbugging and get out there and show some love!

Stepping off my soapbox now... we will now return to your regular blog-posts... Thank you.... 

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