Valentine's Day...

Today is Valentine’s Day.

I realized this morning while I was taking a shower (where most of my mind wandering happens FYI) that there are all kinds of ways people handle Valentine’s Day and I found myself chuckling in the shower.  What made me laugh even harder was when I saw these people (exactly as I suspected they would) post their thoughts on Facebook or come tell me in person or via text or email exactly what I talk about below.

So let's begin:

There are the bitter angry single women (some men, but mostly women) who hate Valentine’s Day and will spew off all kinds of Anti Valentine’s messages, fuck love, etc.  I admit – I was this person for a few years.  I found myself drowning in a bottle or two of wine, crying that no one loved me.  Not too many tho thank goodness, as I usually chose to turn my bitterness into a party or into humor but I did have my dark moments.  But I’m talking about these folks who post stuff like this:

There are the over the top couples who feel the need to post their love all over the place and have zillions of red and pink stuff delivered to each other at work so they can show off their love and they buy into all the Hallmark stuff and fawn over each other to the point where all those around them would like to feed them to the hippos.

There are the other couples, that are equally annoying in my opinion, that make it a show on how much they don’t celebrate Valetine’s Day and don’t buy into the commercialism and that Valentine’s Day celebrates the St. Valentine Slaughter and look how cool we are because we are so anti and political.  Shut the fuck up.  You’re just as bad as the fluffy folk.

 

There are the perfectly normal couples that may or may not buy each other flowers or give a simple gift or just acknowledge the fact that it’s a day to celebrate lovers and they do.  No show.  No nothing.  These people rock.  Luckily these are most of the couples I know.

There are the single gals (again some men but mostly gals) that accept their singledom with pride and throw parties and “Galentine’s” and celebrate with friends. I'm glad to say I used to usually go this route. 

Then of course there’s a huge part of the world that just looks at today as any other day.

Here is what I would like to say:

Who cares if it’s Valentine’s Day?  Don’t buy into the commercialism or do.  Buy flowers for someone or don’t.  Who cares.  Does it really affect you all that much?  Why not take it as a day to celebrate love.  Love for whom ever – your family, friends, significant other, cats, food, wine, the earth, just whatever you want!  Just celebrate love!  Yes of course we should celebrate love every day but let’s take Valentine’s as the official holiday day to say “Yay Love!”  I’ve had a great day so far.  I bought little Valentine’s that the kids usually buy to give out in school (remember that?!) and handed them out to co-workers.  Of course they were kitties and dogs.  I have received some great goodies from other co-workers as well! 

My dad and I went to lunch today and he said he thinks Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate the one you love – your significant other.  Although he did buy me a box of Reeses Pieces per my request for Valentines.  I got cards from my mom and my gramma.  I plan on spending tonight with one of my best girlfriends having dinner with her and her mom then watching Buffy reruns.  Celebrating our friendship.

I guess what I’m trying to say here, is don’t make such a big deal about it.  I think too many people but too much emphasis on the whole thing.  I’m on a really interesting journey now in life, dealing with things differently, seeing things in a new way, and best of all learning to really let go.  I just wanted to share because I did find my little list amusing and the few folks I’ve shared it with got a chuckle so there you have it.

Happy Valentine’s Day my friends!  However you my choose (or not) to celebrate it.  I choose to celebrate love.  Love is a beautiful thing.