I don't understand Valentine's day.

Maybe it's because I'm diabetic and try to keep chocolate and other treats to a minimum in my house.

Maybe it's because I don't like having huge amounts of flowers in the house.

Maybe it's because I'm uneducated and don't know where it comes from.

Maybe it's because I don't know why we celebrate it.

In my head, though, I don't remember anything that could have happened to make all Americans (I'm not sure if it's recognized in other countries as a holiday) be a little nicer to those that treat them the best that day.

In fact, today is just another day for me. I will be going to the same three classes as always, rising at about the same time as the sun, and getting home well after it has set. I will tell my husband I love him, just as I do every day and kiss him before we go our own ways to school. There are no special plans, fancy dinners, or adult "desserts" at the end of the night. Just two tired people curling up in the same bed to sleep after a long day apart.

What I don't understand is why this upsets people. They are either dumbfounded that we haven't "found a way" to make the day special or just look at me with sad eyes expressing how much "that must suck".

It doesn't suck; it's beautiful and normal and perfect. We tell each other how much we love each other almost every day verbally. If not that, then it's me cooking dinner for him or him massaging my neck or some other form of service we can do for each other.

We are both very independent people who feel spoiled when the other does the smallest thing for them. We know that our lives are busy and always changing right now and that that's ok. We have goals and plans for our future together that we are (sometimes impatiently) waiting for the right time. We're smart enough to know that right now is the time to put our heads down and finish school, but that we don't have to face it alone.

We don't need a special day to remind each other of our love; we do it every day.