Before you rush to the comments to defend this holiday, let me tell you that I love everything commercial about Valentine's Day. I love the cute heart decorations and the boxes of Valentines ready for kids to pick up and trade at school. I love the massive amounts of flowers on sale almost as much as I love seeing the line of people with flowers in hand for their loved ones. And while I don't like chocolate, I love the gummy candies and the conversation hearts that you can usually find untouched on the holiday-themed candy aisle.
I love love, and the industry that pumps this pink and red celebration of February 14 through our veins, but I do not believe in Valentine's Day. Love is love, and you do not need a date on a calendar to celebrate with the ones that you love.
So many people strive to make Valentine's such a big deal. If you are dating someone around that time, it is almost assumed that you have to do something, no matter where you are in that relationship. And then there is all that pressure of going out for this holiday centered around love. Instead, go on a casual date with your new boyfriend or girlfriend. You don't have to do something big just because you feel like you have to.
Then, there are the people who sit at home upset, tweeting something like, "I'm single on Valentine's Day :( ." The Grinch in me wants to shout, "Well, it's no different than any other day of the year!" That might be harsh, but it is absolutely true. Not having a date for Valentine's does not mean you won't have a date for the rest of the year. Being single is not the end of the world; it is a good time to get to know who you really are, and to embrace that. If someone does not like you for you, do they really deserve you? Invite some friends over, have a movie night, bake heart shaped cookies and eat as much chocolate as you can, and make each other feel loved. Let’s make 2015 the year we stop using #ForeverAlone. It is just awkward.
I admit to being that one who told my friends growing up, "Carnations aren't romantic at all, they're probably some of the cheapest flowers you can buy, so it's easy for them to buy in bulk." And I am sorry -- but isn’t it so true? I would take one red rose over twelve carnations, any day. I love getting flowers and I don’t think it should be reserved just for Valentine’s Day. I grew up in a family where flowers were just a kind sentiment. They were around for birthdays, celebrations, illnesses, or just because it was a Tuesday and those flowers looked like something that would brighten our day. Buy your sweetheart a bouquet of roses because they did something nice for you, or they got a promotion, or the flowers just reminded you of their beauty. Flowers are beautiful and should not just be reserved for Feb. 14.
Finally, the cards. Yes, I am going after the greeting card companies. I think there are some really cute cards out there, but are we really so lazy that we cannot even think of something to write to our significant other? Most people just drive to Walgreens, pick up a card, sign their name, and hand it over. It might just be the softy in me, but if I am getting a card, there must be some type of handwritten sentiment in there. I am not talking the next Notebook, but a just few sentences? If you could just write one or two things you like, and how you feel about them, you would have at least two sentences. I am sure that will mean so much.
All of this being said, I would never suggest an end to the holiday or to cancel your Valentine’s Day dates. I am just saying that you should show your love 365 days a year, not just on the day they sell chocolates for. Giving a gift you know they will love on a random day of the year shows that you care way more than giving something on a day you feel obligated to. Call up your boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend or parents and tell them you love them today. It will catch them off guard and make their day, I promise.
