Am I the only one who is so over Valentine’s Day? I used to enjoy it when it meant collecting my classmates’ cards in handmade cardboard mailboxes. Now I just think it’s silly. Some people get all nutty and assume that the amount of money their partner spends on them equals the amount of love they have for them. I once worked with a woman who told her husband that she didn’t want anything for Valentine’s Day because they were too broke. She happened to look at their credit card statement days before and noticed he had spent over $300 on a ring for her. She actually said to me, “I’ll show him!” and then went off to buy him a $700 ring. Ah, vengeful, debt-inducing love. Is there anything sweeter?
Maybe my husband doesn’t love me because on Valentine’s Day he never buys me cards or sends me flowers or goes into debt buying me jewelry that I’ll never wear. Or maybe, just maybe, diamonds really aren’t forever. Maybe the shiniest things in my life, every day, have never cost a penny. Maybe I don’t need a specified day to tell me that I’m lucky to be so loved by so many.
As a side note, in some small way I wish I celebrated Valentine’s Day, if only because then I could send a snarky e-card like this one:
I am so with you! I know that my husband loves me like mad, why else would he get up at 5am and search in the dark for our son’s soother? He has come to realize that I am much more delightful when I am rested, and does it without complaint. So when he told me about him going for dinner and then a hockey game, I didn’t bat an eyelash. The spirit of Valentine’s Day is in all of the little day to day comprimises we do for each other, I don’t need some overpriced roses to prove anything. Receiving a bouquet randomly scores more brownie points with me.
Wally and I started boycotting Valentines several years ago too. WE do something for the boys, but boy is it overrated. I could skip it altogether and be happy.
It’s highly overrated. I gave up on it years ago after being so disappointed every year.
When Elliot brings home the red heart and doily trinket she made with her teacher – your heart will swell until you feel it will burst at the look of pride on her face as she gives it to you – at least that’s what happened to me with Miss E yesterday.
It takes on a whole new feeling when you’re kids are old enough to participate, and half understand it
I’ve never in my whole life celebrated. I think it’s kinda dumb.
I never say no to presents, but I don’t think that some cold crappy day in February warrants spending tons of cash on some shiny junk and shoving your face full of food and booze.
On the other hand, the giant Whitman’s Samplers are on sale at CVS for $4.99 here in the states, so I think I may run across the street and pick one up for the husband and our brat.
I’m with you on this one…personally I was never ‘under’ V-day. Although the chocolate…this I have no argument for. There should be more chocolate holidays…hmmm Vday, Easter, Christmas, Flag day…
Can the shiny things in life involve chocolate?
with you on this. i posted this picture on my cube today:
http://megachick.blogspot.com/2008/02/leave-me-alone.html
Amen, sister. Tonight, we’re having heart shaped pizza and brownies. If we’re lucky, we’ll find some time to cuddle.
And shouldn’t we be in love every day, not just February 14?
We did something this year, but it was something small. SOmetimes when you’ve been single for a long time it’s nice to do something on Valentine’s with your loved one.
I’m with you. Every year we agree that we won’t get each other anything and we don’t. It’s good. We don’t need to schedule a day to say I heart you.
Amen sister. The best V Day gift I got was when Dennis hid Hershey’s Kisses all over the house. i found them for months! In the kitchen cupboards, my underwear drawer, my car …. it was great!
We have always been too broke to celebrate most holidays like this. We try to make time now and then to just have a dinner out together — you know, to keep our marriage from disintegrating.
Seriously, I too do not need baubles or flowers to know how much my husband loves me. He gets up at 5am and works til 7,8 or 9 pm sometimes. Those days are hard, but I know its cause of our love.
I’m wondering how I failed to notice the moment when Valentine’s Day became about forcing kids to address endless cards, stuffing envelopes, volunteering at parties, and spending ridiculous amounts of money on school Valentine’s Day party crafts.
I agree and disagree. Although I think Valentine’s Day should be celebrated every day I still got the warm fuzzies when I received flowers from the boy even though he is away at work half way around the world. Also, I am sad every day he is not at home with me but for some reason I am extra sad today. So I say if you have a loved one at home with you today at least give them one extra kiss.
I like making homemade card out scraps of red and pink and lace and stuff.
But that’s about as far as I care to take it.
My sentiments EXACTLY. Valentine Shmalentine.
Annie – The handmade valentines from Elliot were sweet – she demanded daddy take a lovebug she made to work to “show his friends”. I’m just over the whole Valentine’s Day-is-the-most-romantic-day-ever-and-if-I-don’t-get-
something-super-expensive/romantic-I’ll-be-depressed-for-
weeks thing.
Lora and Clink – I will not argue that any day is an excellent excuse to consume chocolate.
Joline – Mmm Boston Pizza and brownies. Maybe I’m wrong about Valentine’s after all?
Lilacspecs – I’m glad you found someone that makes you happy.
My sister – Yes, I know you’re not as jaded as me about these things. It’s okay to celebrate, of course. I just choose not to make a big deal of it.
Valentine’s Day is such a crapshoot.
But I do love that ecard.
I’m loving it now, but mostly when I get damp crumpled up paper from my toddlers and they whisper in my ear, “I love you!”
Now THAT’s what valentine’s day is for!
It’s settled. We have to be blog friends forever, because this post echoes my sentiments EXACTLY.
Should we enact a class-action lawsuit against Hallmark and its ilk for promoting a false sense of urgency with these holidays – these random days of the year that are supposed to act as a LITMUS TEST for how loved we are?
Sigh. I’m ready.
Valentines day is just a made up stupid *explicit* day that means abso*explicit*lutely nothing.
Its an excuse for stupid women to be extra shallow and demanding,
and for me to have an extra reason to wish they’d all play in traffic.
My mood today isn’t related to today at all,
it just adds to my hate of the borderline retard. (or worse)
You’re just jealous that you didn’t get Bernard Callebaut chocolates…
I am so with you, Meh. Meh!
And now all it means is only two more days until my son’s birthday.
Ours has been low-key for the past several years.
I LOVE that card.
You are not alone. I could do without it. Sadly, my husband has yet to figure this out, even after 13 years of my nagging him about spending too much money.
Ah, so true. For a week I told hubby I didn’t want nor need anything for Valentine’s…. just a simple dinner was all I wanted.
And then he came home one day with the dreaded “don’t look” after shopping.
Crap.
He NEVER listens!
Well said. I think VD day is one that needs to be done away with. Seriously, the only good thing about it is the half priced chocolate the nest day!
Right before we went to sleep last night my wife looked at me and said, “Oh yeah, happy Valentines Day.” That’s how important it is to us.
I just don’t like girls who complain about being single on valentines day, because i think its about loving anybody haha, like go out for supper with your girlfriends kinda thing or give your dog/cat a hug! love everyybody =)
Very, very well put.
Every year my husband buys me flowers. And then gets grumpy and me when they die. I keep telling him; Dude! Buy me a book!
When we were going to bed after I had spent Valentine’s by myself shopping downtown, Cody held my hand and said “I love you perfect wife.”
HAH.
$700 ring, kiss my arse.
I got a heart-shaped pizza.
Do you hear me?
A heart. shaped. pizza.
That’s true love right there.
