Go ahead, make everyday Valentine’s Day.
A couple weeks ago I was chatting with The Muse and she (out of the blue) mentioned her feelings on Valentines Day. I paused for a moment to make sure I heard what I thought I heard and asked her to repeat herself. I heard her right the first time. I was intrigued by her viewpoint and asked her to write a guest post for me. Here it is. The Muse’s views on Valentine’s Day. Enjoy.
Valentine’s Day- Is it a real holiday? I think not. Over the years, the notion of spending a ton of money one day every year in the order to shower your significant other with love has been blown completely out of proportion. Personally, I put a boycott on the so-called holiday years ago. I mean, why should some card company and ridiculously overpriced flower shop tell me when I should tell my significant other I love them?
If they aren’t bad enough, the commercials for jewelry stores are so sickeningly sweet they should come with a warning beforehand stating “Caution: May induce vomiting”. One in particular strikes me as completely moronic.
Two lovers in a cabin, watching a storm out the window at night. Lightning strikes and she leaps into his arms like she just spotted Michael Myers standing on the other side of the glass. But! Don’t fear frightened Princess! This diamond ring will make the lightning go away! Seriously??
We are losing sight here, people! If you love someone and it’s Tuesday, July 7th, don’t be afraid to buy them a card, write them a love letter, or give them flowers for no reason other than you love them. You shouldn’t feel obligated to purchase overpriced roses for the woman/man you love simply because it is mid-February.
If you are truly in love with someone, don’t you think about little ways you can express that love every day? A good morning kiss, a call during the day just to say hello. I would much prefer a small daily reminder of the fact that someone loves me. What I don’t want is someone to feel obligated to buy me flowers or a heart-shaped pendent because some marketing machine told them that was what is expected of them.
They say diamonds are forever and, well, they sure as Hell better be for as much as they cost! But, and here’s where you’ll probably thinking “This woman is out of her freaking mind!” I tend to boycott diamonds as well as odd holidays. But, it’s for good reason. Most diamonds are from South Africa and it is extremely hard to prove how the diamond was obtained from the mines and from whom.
There are so many corrupt “businessmen” who hire young men and children to go out into the mines, enslave them, even kill them over the tiniest gem. It isn’t worth it. I don’t want to look down at my hand and think “I wonder if some child lost his life so I could wear this?”
Needless to say, I don’t ever expect anyone to go all out for me on Valentine’s Day. What I DO want is, if you love me, show me. Everyday. The little notions of love are so wonderful, especially when they are completely from the heart and not from the wallet. A quick call to ask how my day is or a text that says “I Miss You”, would be enough. Wouldn’t you feel amazing every single day if someone just gave a couple of minutes to make sure you know they care?
So, this Valentine’s Day, I urge you to give this gift to the one you love…it doesn’t cost a thing: Tell them how much you love them, how your life has improved with them in it, how you would not want to go another day without making sure they know how you really feel. Then, vow to yourself that you will take a couple of moments everyday to show them you love them. Make them feel good, loved, and appreciated, and I’m quite sure they will return the gesture. Go ahead, make everyday Valentine’s Day.
Now, if you don’t mind, will you please pass me a few of those Conversation Hearts? Those things are addictive!
I am not a fan of the “holiday” much like New Years Eve, too much fricking pressure!! But I can’t say that I won’t be peeved if I don’t get a card, I like a card for ALL holiday’s real or fake!!!
Time to burn down Hallmark and save the world from their oppressive regime.
I agree in that we should all “bring it” everyday for those we love. I agree that well thought out is better than pretentious or last minute. I agree that those candy hearts are the bomb. Buuuuttttttt, I’m also a sap for a sweet Valentine gift as well. Carnations instead of roses please :).
This is the best Valentine’s post EVER!!!!! Muse, that was awesome!!
SOrry I am one of “those” ppl that enjoys Valentines Day.
However, I dont expect candy, flowers or jewelry but I do expect a card.
then again i send cards all year long cause I am a card kinda person. Love to send them. Its a cheap way of telling someone your thinking of them.
With that said, for Valentines day mostly we go out to dinner.
When you have kids its nice to have a designated day to go out together without kids.
Kittycat–Valentines Day can be nice, but its generally a scam. That’s my opinion. If that day means something to you, that’s OK with me.
I own a restaurant and we still call it “Amateur Night”; we’ll take those dumb couples money hand over fist 😉
if someone sent me a text everyday saying they were thinking of me, I would swoon and not be able to make desserts…that is the future I hope for!
As a restaurant owner, I’m sure you love that day!
I agree whole hartedely! We call it forced affection day and boycott it as well!
Valentines day has become that one day of the year where douche guys do something nice for their significant other and then are off the hook for the next 364 days. Don’t doubt that Valentine’s days is a woman’s holiday. The amount of expectation placed upon guys can almost be unbearable. Ask anyone about the holiday and the answer usually matches my feelings, yet the holiday continues and grows.
You’re dead on, we need to bring it every day. So much so that it should be looked at like, to your point, July 7th.
Amen.
Fastest way to infuriate me is to hand me long stemmed red roses on February 14th. If you love me, you know I prefer tulips and I prefer you to not be a fiscal moron.
Thanks Terri. I, like most guys, prefer tulips as well. You know the old saying, “tulips on the organ are better than roses on the piano”. Or something like that…
*Passes the Muse some candy hearts* Don’t let my kids see my stash! I agree with you on all of this. I’m laughing because as soon as I read “induce vomiting” I thought of that same stupid commercial. Puh-leez. I’ve never been romanced on Valentine’s Day so am really indifferent to it at this point. If my future guy were to buy me something I’d much prefer a book or a CD–something that lasts. Plus, that means he’d have to be paying attention to our conversations, not just running to the grocery store at the last minute and getting whatever… Read more »
Angela, you’re totally allowed to do stuff for your kids!