Valentine’s Day
I completely understand why a lot of people hate Valentine’s Day. I have many, many friends and relatives who spent years as one of the chronically single, reminded each time of how single they were on the day when it felt like everyone else in the world was coupled up and incredibly happy. So I get it.
Personally, I love Valentine’s Day. I love the colors pink and red, I love heart-splattered dishtowels and placemats, I love greeting cards and conversation hearts, and I love picking out little perforated cards for my kids to give their friends. I have always been a romantic, easily swayed by silly gestures, easily moved by words of love. But I have also been a serial monogamist, and I haven’t been single on V-Day since I was in high school, so I know some of you are thinking, “well, of course you’ve always liked it!”
But this year, three of my friends have mentioned to me that they didn’t celebrate V-Day and that in fact, they rarely do– not because they don’t enjoy it or believe in it, but because their husbands don’t. “It’s a Hallmark holiday,” the men say, “I show you that I love you every day, why should this day matter more?” So my friends, my lovely, amazing, caring friends, have stopped trying, but clearly, it still matters to them.
I don’t care if you believe in Valentine’s Day, because I’m not married to you (except you there, who used to be one of the haters yourself. Hi, honey!). But if your spouse or partner does believe, does enjoy a greeting card, a bouquet of flowers, a box of drugstore chocolates, if your significant whatever is secretly wishing s/he had gotten a Valentine this year, then I’m talking to you, and I’m saying:
Next year, suck it up and buy a damn Valentine. Your partner deserves it, so save the schtick for someone else and ante up already.
- Posted in: all about me ♦ conversations
she’s just happy cause this year I rocked the house for v-day. (it only took me 6 years to really get it, so guys be a good person and show your partner the affection she deserves)
As a professional greeting card writer since 1986, I absolutely love it when people acknowledge holidays with a traditional (as opposed to “e”) card! Valentine’s Day is second only to Christmas among the seasonal holidays and that’s terrific news for greeting card writers AND senders everywhere. Plus, even if you don’t have a spouse or significant other, how about a relative Valentine, a Valentine card for that elderly neighbor or an appreciation Valentine card for a teacher or that chiropractor (can you tell I’m going to one?) who got you up and moving again?!? Friendship Valentine’s–strictly platonic, yet heartfelt, nonetheless–also round out this occasion. Next up: St. Patrick’s Day–so truly Go Green and send a card. It keeps writers like me in business! Best to all, Sandra Miller-Louden