Every year Valentine's Day passes by and it's never been much of a landmark for me. Beyond seeing a ton of pink and red cards, boxes of candy in the stores, and diamond commercials insisting upon a colorless rock's significance in a woman's life, I've never really thought much of the holiday.
Valentine's Day has become a commercial sell-out. Some couples mark it as one more excuse to celebrate their love and devotion and I see nothing wrong with that. Hey, the more excuses the merrier, right? ;) But on the whole, I also know of some who flat out refuse to celebrate it and they have their reasons.
I think honoring your partner and celebrating love should be done 24/7/365 not attributed to a Hallmark greeting card or a box of candy. When you get something for your partner "just because" versus buying for a commercialized holiday, I believe that to have greater meaning.
It's funny. As an erotic romance writer, I feel like I'm expected to champion the holiday. There's a greater pressure to write and read romance and those who are not single by choice are made to feel miserable on this day. Thankfully I feel that I know better than this; my idea of what constitutes romance probably wouldn't sell, but I understand that what is "ideal" is different for everyone.
Romance to me is putting up with all of the thorns amidst the roses. It's cleaning up after your partner when they get sick. It's keeping chemistry and passion alive while battling day to day stresses and woes. When romance can thrive hand in hand with reality's messes, that to me is real romance.
So regardless of whether or not you choose to celebrate today, do remember this: hug your loved ones and appreciate them for all that they're worth, flaws in all. They are of more value than all of the diamonds in the world.
Love & Magic,
Adrianne
4 comments:
This is a good take on a commercial holiday. My husband says that some woman created it years ago for women only. In fact he always insists that I not get him anything but always buys me some token thing. I don't expect it- he does buy random things for me throughout the year.
I think this has also become a 'keep up with the Joneses' practice. Some of the women where I work get upset if they don't get flowers delivered. One lady actually got 2 deliveries. I gaff at the 'oh he must love you a lot' comments.
Flowers aren't usually my thing because they die so quick. I love plants for my yard. I surely don't need the candy but I love boxes of tea and organic fruits for smoothies. My hubby buys these things for me all the time.
You're right, Adrianne. True love doesn't need ONE day.
Kissa
My husband and I don't celebrate most holidays because of the very reasons you cited, but Valentine's Day is the one we're least likely to make a fuss over. Maybe I'm unromantic, but I don't like the idea of people feeling they have to buy each other things. I want gifts to be a bit more heartfelt. (I do enjoy the 50% off candy after Valentine's Day, though!)
I much prefer my hubby's invention of "Random Special Day," in which he picks a day and does something nice, just because (or I pick a day and do something for him). :) He was being silly when he originally thought it up, but it's kind of stuck with us.
I love your random day idea, Cassandra. I love going shopping after Valentine's Day probably more than Christmas. I buy a lot of heart things and candy. I love both!
Kissa
It's good to show someone you love them every day of the year. And I like the idea of spontaneity rather than a set day.
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