Valentines Day

So it's February 14th, Valentines Day 2011... SO WHAT?!?! I hardly consider this a holiday for the following reasons:
A:) I still had to wake up early for work
B:) I still had to go to work
C:) I was still expected to be productive at work
Now with this being said, I realize that I am one of the "fortunate" ones that has a beloved to call my "valentine," however I feel absolutely no different today than I do any other day of the week. Yes, I did receive a card from my love expressing his admiration but I have received these on other occasions as well that had absolutely nothing to do with a toddler with a weapon. My bf and I have no special plans for the evening... No candle light dinners, flowers that will wilt and die, chocolate that I do not need for my waistline... In fact we have no plans at all other than to do the same thing we do every other Monday evening..dinner and criminal minds :) In fact I find it more of a hassle bc every restrurant under the sun will be bombartered with "sweethearts," so the best dining we can hope to experience will probably be take out at KFC... Which does not bother me in any form or fashion.
I totally get it... It's a hallmark holiday, a time for those "sweethearts" to go out and blow money on shallow trinkets for their beloved so they can show the world how good of a partner they are... It boosts the economy and during economic times like these that is something we all need..so I say spend away brothers and sisters!
My opinion, not that it matters, today is nothing more than continued social pressure for all the die hard romantics out there that want their lives to be like the movies...Its everywhere!!! Once the lexus car commercials for christmas stop, (which might I add, I have yet to wake up and find a luxury car in my living room/drive way christmas morning...yet another unrealistic expectation of life) vday advertising begins. "Every kiss begins with Kay," "He went to jarod," "The Shane company, your friend in the diamond industry..." Blah blah blah! I mean really who in the right mind buys diamonds just bc it's the 14th of February?!? All of these things just set people up for heart ache, disappointment or extreme debt!
The gal that doesn't get an engagement ring, candy or flowers.. The guy who has the gf that is dissappointed bc he can't afford a ring, bracelet or necklace...or flowers, candy what have you? Or better yet.. The guy who does have the money to get such gifts (or is willing to go into debt to do so) but ends up having to "out do" himself every year bc his superficial gf expects such things...
Not to mention all the single people that are so beautifully reminded that they are in deed single and without a valentine... OMG the sky is falling!!! Talk about social pressure! My heart goes out to these folks...bc I have lost count of how many times I have allowed this day to bring my spirit and self esteem down. Just remembering my fourth grade year is enough to bring tears to my eyes... Spending the whole evening prior decorating a show box "my valentine box" with doileys, aluminum foil, and construction paper hearts.. Just hoping that Adam would drop a valentine in there to express his admiration for me...Did it happen...? Did Adam give me a valentine...NO... Broken heart syndrome... Defeated once again... The weight of my self worth lingered on this very thing...
So my response to this "holiday" is it's no different than any other day.
If we MUST celebrate....My suggestions are as follows:
All the singletons of the world celebrate SPA day! When I was in college me and my fellow singletons celebrating SPA DAY (Single persons appreciation day)... I choose that rather than single persons awareness day.. To me that sounds like a public service announcement. Many SPA days were had ordering pizza and watching foreign films or chick flicks that no guy in his right mind is going to sit through...Thats what girlfriends are for! Hence the expression "chick flick" :o) Go out and spend money on yourself!! Grab the gals/guys and get a pedicure, massage, hit up godiva chocolate, take yourself to dinner, order pizza and snatch up Eat, Pray, Love at the closest redbox..Spend the money on the person that you should love the most...Yourself! Celebrate your singleness!!!
As for the lovers in the world...If you must celebrate Valentines day... Do yourself and your partner a favor and ditch the stereotypical ideas of what valentines day celebration should be.. Don't waste your hard earned money on flowers that are going to die....food that will be eaten and long forgotten next week... Keep it simple and spend time with the one you love by doing nothing other than being together....
According to valentine tradition, small trinkets of appreciation are to be given on this day.. Hence a homemade card (or hallmark card if you wish) is sufficient....No need to take out a second mortgage to win the heart of your beloved...
But my personal opinion of this matter and call me old fashioned... Everyday should be a day of appreciation for your sweetheart AND above all ourselves.... If this were the case, the world and its people would be a lot better of a place.
Be well....