I won’t lie. I think that for adults Valentine’s Day is a big ‘ole waste of time & money. Too contrived.
I like hearts. I like chocolate. I like flowers. I like dinner. I like jewelry.
But need we do them all on one day? Would we not be better served if we distributed these little treats of life over the course of a year?
I think that we would be. And as I adhere to the philosophy that one should be the change one wants to see, I can assure you that the extent of my Valentine’s Day celebration will be this post… with the cute little heart on it.
The rest of you, please carry on in a way that makes sense to you. I know that you will regardless of what I write here. Have a good time. Please. Do.
But as for me, I think that I’ll follow the wise words of Dharma from Dharma & Greg: “A big part of being open is to embrace things you know are stupid.”
Which, for me, is Valentine’s Day. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone.
[Image from here.]
THE SPECTACLED BEAN 
Not sure how to take that last quote! 🙂 I agree with you, though. It’s what happens the rest of the year that’s important, not on this one particular day.
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Polly, conceptually Valentine’s Day is great, but around here the hype & pressure to be IN LOVE is ridiculous. I find myself wanting to hide inside my house just to avoid all the over-the-top fanfare I see in the stores & restaurants. Enough already.
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[Polly, I believe this makes more sense now. The wrong version of this posted. For some reason I had difficulty getting this post to publish this morning, but I think that I got it right this time.]
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Valentine’s Day is definitely for the young and the just dating. I’ve never cared about all the hoopla, either. It’s just another time of year for the retailers to make lots of money. I only liked making my special VD day boxes in elementary school:)
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Beth, I remember making those boxes! I liked doing that, too. That was fun. I’d forgotten all about that.
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Too much hype – too much guilt tripping – too many end up feeing left out and being sad.
I’m with you. Spread out the fun and wonder!
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I think that you’ve nailed. Guilt & sadness shouldn’t be part of a holiday based on love. Yet so many people end up depressed on this day. There’s something out of whack about what Valentine’s Day has become.
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i thought i felt the same way too. VD is for kids not for those who have been married 15+ years. which is why i didn’t make plans for this evening or buy a card. then, the hubster did something surprising. he left a beautiful card, on my coffee mug this morning. a really gushy, lovey card. he left one for our daughter too. which makes me fall even more in love with him. and yes, while this happens other days of the year, happening today left me giddy. silly, but true. even after 17 years of marriage. and you should have seen the smile on my face – all the way the work. there just might be something to this day after all……
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lori, that is delightful. Who knew that D. was such a sweetie pie? I can see why you’ve revised your opinion of this day. Keep smiling, girlfriend.
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My husband and I never made a big deal about VD–but I miss him a lot on this day because of all the stress over couples, love and cards/gifts. He would always get me a cute and very appropriate card and some cut flowers, not because HE liked them but because I did.
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Margaret, I doubt that any man really cares about flowers or cards! So lovely that he got them for you anyhow. Sweet memories, eh?
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It was kind of a joke to us but we went along with it anyway. 🙂 Miss his quirky side and common sense.
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I agree. It makes me think about what my mother always said about St. Patrick’s day, “Anyone who needs a holiday to get drunk on is an amateur.” In the same vein I say, “Anyone who need a holiday to give a loved one chocolates, flowers and cards is also an amateur.”
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la peregrina, I’m laughing here. So true. And as someone with lots of Irish blood coursing through my veins, I have to agree with your mother. Delightful saying. Brilliant woman.
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I agree—far better to spread the spirit of the day throughout the year. And forget all the obligatory spending :-(.
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winsomebella, the spirit of the day is wonderful, but like you said, let’s spread it around all year. Seems so obvious, doesn’t it?
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As long as you show the love all year long, why not take a day to make it extra cheesy?
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So you’re advocating a have it all approach to Valentine’s Day. That could work. Will take that under advisement next year!
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Plus, it is an excuse to eat chocolate and drink champagne on a Thursday.
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Two good points in favor of your idea. Excellent points actually.
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