Right, romantics, brace yourselves, I have something to say.
I don't do Valentine's Day.
Incywincystitches
I'm not the Cupid equivalent of bah humbug and it's not my way of saving face because my hubbie forgets every year. Valentine's Day just gets on my nerves.
I've done the get-no-cards-apart-from-one-from-my-sister thing (thanks, sis), I've done the smug I've-got-a-boyfriend-so-I'll-buy-the-greatest-love-album-of-all-time-on four-CDs thing, and now I'm happy to do the opt-out-of-the-second-most-commercial-event-of-the-year thing. (I'm rating Christmas at number one because December 25th is top dollar in my book! See, I'm not a bah humbug.)
I didn't decide one day that I was boycotting Valentine's Day, it was a gradual thing. Looking through restaurant windows (or worse being inside) and seeing every table was occupied by a couple just looked a bit, well, Stepford Wives. And then what about the mark-up on flowers, or anything red, in the month of February? Buy a bunch of red roses in September and it's one price, go to the flower stall in February and you need to take out a second mortgage.
Lilfishstudios
Most of all, what irks me is the pressure that on one day of the year, if you're in a relationship you must be romantic and slushy and spend money to show you care. No effort necessary on the other 364 days of the year. And if you're not in a relationship, you're made to feel sidelined and, quite frankly, a bit crap.
Then there's possibly the worst group - those in a relationship whose partner doesn't live up to their loved one's expectations. I once worked in an office full of women where I watched them, one by one, become more disappointed (and then foul-tempered) because none of the bouquets of flowers being delivered to the building were for them. That was one unhappy little office.
Now, I usually keep my Valentine's Day opinion to myself because I appreciate most people don't share my view. And that's fine, I'm a live and let live kinda girl and if celebrating Valentine's makes you happy, by all means, paint the town rose red.
This year I thought I'd just voice it to see if there's anyone else out there that happens to feel the same way. After all, it's the little things in life that make most people smile: a stranger holding open a door or letting your car out, or your partner of many years making you a cup of tea without you having to ask. The husband of a work colleague left a surprise bag of her favourite jelly babies in her car because she was feeling poorly. On a really cold night my hubbie warms my side of the bed and then moves over to his chilly patch when I get in. When a friend of mine was proposed to by her boyfriend (a lovely enough event in itself) he brought along her mobile phone as he knew she'd want to call her mum straight away.
So, whatever you're up to next weekend, I hope you have a happy time doing it. And if you have a story that spread a little happiness in your, or someone else's, life, I'd love to hear it.




