Thursday, January 26, 2012

Happy Anti-Valentine's Day





Even though I am happily married to probably one of the most romantic men I know; I loathe Valentine's Day. In fact, I've banned my husband from specifically buying me anything on February 14th (every guy's dream right?). Most people wonder, a usually sunshiny, happy, lovey dove type would have an all out vendetta against the "Holiday of love".

Well, I'm going to tell you...

Maybe it's my stubborn side, that refuses to do what I'm told, coupled with my oddball sense of romance; but I've never been into the whole idea of Valentine's Day for many reasons:

1. It's one of the most depressing days of the year for many single people, who have to endure 24 hours of everyone else's mushy lovey dovey boasting about their AMAZING significant other. When other people are sad and excluded, it makes me sad.

2. It's a HUGE amount of pressure for newly formed couples, to impress one another with the "perfect gift". As my brother used to say...dating season is off from December 1st to February 14th, so as to avoid the big gift giving bonanzas.

3.I love you should be said with words and actions...not gifts.

4. Love is a constant. You should feel it, experience it, live it, all year long. Give sweet cards in the middle of September; surprise someone with something nice on a random Monday; pour your heart out just because, not just because it's February 14th.

5. Lastly...and this is mostly just in our family. Gifts cost money. Money that's hard to earn. So, frivolous spending is saved for bigger better things. No cards at Valentines, means more money in the bank to go on vacation, or buy a new tv, or just have an extra family dinner out. Little sacrifices can mean better things in the future.

I'm usually a holiday junkie. But, a holiday that expects love to be displayed primarily with extravagant gifts amongst the happily attached...eh, it's just not for me.