I remember back in primary school being required to write out small Valentine’s Day cards for each kid in class to later post in the brown paper bag we individually decorated to pose as a mailbox for our annual Valentine’s Day party. We would each take our bag home filled with messages from so-called cupids, reading each card carefully, hoping are school boy crush was the one who delivered the card that had the Peanuts character Snoopy on the front holding a heart saying ‘Be My Valentine!’
If the day of ‘love’ aka: Feb. 14th were only so simple in adulthood. Now instead of small cartoon cards, there is this expectation of flowers, chocolates, fancy dinners and so on to display our affection. On the flip-side there is the observing of others receiving flowers, chocolates, fancy dinners and so on to the dismay of those receiving nothing … sigh.
I have to say I have mostly dated guys in the past who did not believe in acknowledging this coined ‘Hallmark holiday’ claiming they did not need someone telling them on one specific day to show their affection through cliché gifts and romantically crafted poems. Their beliefs were fine by me until the commercialism of Feb. 14th with heart-shaped balloons, candies and window displays slowly infiltrated my every thought and one more ‘in love’ co-worker asked, ‘What did he get you for V-Day?’
I would then think to myself, ‘Why didn’t the non-conformist not think to at least get me a card? I mean really, would it kill him to join the general consensus on Feb. 14th just once?’
The fact is the romantic inside my somewhat cynical shell doesn’t despise Valentine’s Day if only for the reason of eating the gimmicky candy conversation hearts produced each year.
I remember one V-Day in particular when a friend and I made ‘suck for a buck’ necklaces out of red and pink lollipops. We hit the town both dressed in red wearing our classy candy necklaces and had a great time that night as singletons. We even made a buck or two out of it. How is that for not self-loathing in the day?
In time, I eventually learned to make a point to tell guys I was dating that I did embrace Valentine’s Day. That said, one guy opted for a marathon weekend including an out of town dinner, rock concert, casino trip and theater production in the span of 48 hours and another year a guy simply handmade a heart-shaped card out of construction paper and slapped on some romantic quotes. Efforts noted.
Personally I don’t need gifts of grandeur, but I do take pleasure in the moments when loved ones show there affection in thoughtful words or small selfless acts. Let’s face it, we all like to feel loved at one point or another. If it means for some out there they need a little reminder from Cupid and a dozen roses, then so be it St. Valentine.
NB: Men are not mind readers and if we don’t express our needs, then we can’t expect our needs to be filled. It works both ways, so count yourself forewarned those women expecting something delivered on Feb. 14th. The queen of hearts has spoken.
Side Note: Whether today or Valentine’s Day, take the opportunity to share the love with those you care about as life is always too short - a few words can go a long way.
Share: What would your Sweethearts candy message say?
