There. I said it. I mean, this is what my front door looks like right now.
I grew up in a home where Valentine's Day was always very important. My parents' wedding anniversary is on Valentine's Day and my mom always made a huge deal out of it. We always had Valentine's cards and gifts on the morning of February 14 to open. And I always watched my dad spoil my mom twice-fold on that day each year.
Now, there are some parts of Valentine's Day I don't love. I don't love that couples cram into restaurants, eating sub-par food for inflated prices in a rush to get out and make room for the next wave of couples. I've never enjoyed going out to eat on actual Valentine's Day. I don't love all the cliched pre-packaged gifts for men to grab at the last minute to give to their Valentine -- all the balloons, stuffed animals and chocolates wrapped in cellophane and wrapped with red ribbon. And I don't love how some people, women especially, feel a little desperate or inadequate when they don't have a significant other on Valentine's Day.
All of that feels fake to me, and doesn't represent the genuine expression of love that I grew up appreciating on Valentine's Day.
But I do love most everything else about it. I love that men and women in love feel a little more romantic on the day. I love that it encourages -- ok, maybe even forces -- us to treat our significant other, friends and family a little more special for the sake of showing we love them. I love heartfelt notes and thoughtful dinners or breakfasts in bed and candles and bubble baths. And beautiful bouquets of flowers, picked out at the grocery store.
And I love all the pink and red everywhere. Pink candles and red vases and heart-shaped martini glasses and cookie cutters at Target. Pink and black striped garters or red lace bras. Even pink polka dot flannel pajamas and socks decked out with hearts. You at least have to admit, it's a great time of year to stock up on all of it!
For the first time in many, many years, I am officially 100% single for Valentine's Day. And I'm not sad at all about it. I will admit that I've saved quite a bit of money I'd usually be spending on the perfect lingerie, the perfect special meal and ingredients for the perfect heart-shaped cheesecakes I would make, packaged in perfect little bakery boxes. But that doesn't mean I'm not celebrating. I sent out cards to my friends and family. I put out my red, heart-shaped tealight holders and the front door stuff. And I'm probably even going to sleep in pink pajamas tonight after I take a nice, long bubble bath.
 |
| And probably drink Starbucks salted caramel hot cocoa out of this pink mug! |
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Hope the day is all about love for you, no matter your situation.
Great post! Totally agree it's the sentiment and vday does reminds you to spoil yourself and your husband/bf (if you have one). Nothing wrong with that! So many of my friends hate it or don't celebrate (single or not) bc its a "fake holiday" or whatever, but I still love valentines day and what it represents :)
ReplyDeleteI especially love your doormat; that's so cute! I'd put out a doormat in front of my door, but I'm afraid that my neighbors would steal it. So I have to keep mine inside.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I do like the Valentine's chocolates. I also like those candy hearts with the short messages printed on them. I miss Valentine's Day parties when I was in school, when everyone would exchange valentines and candy.