So we’ve made it to Valentine’s Day huh….
Sorry about the length between posts, I have been working on a concept for a new story I’m writing. Anyways, I figured I would write a special article for Valentine’s Day.
In my eyes, there are two different views on this particular holiday. One side views it as a perfect day, during which you treat the one you love like royalty, or get so treated. The other side views it a just another Monday, only this time, couples everywhere are rubbing their “togetherness” in your face. Bet you can’t guess which group I’m a member of….
Anyways, I’m going to take a fresh look at this odd holiday from both sides.
To anyone in a relationship, Valentine’s Day is primarily a day to express love for your significant other. Despite my shortcomings, I too know what it feels like to be in love. In fact, I realized I was in love only days before Valentine’s Day. So, to those of you who doubt this day has a certain magic to it, please reconsider. It DOES have an interesting magic that seems to surround it. However, unlike most, I have yet to feel this same magic from the perspective of one participating in the festivities.
Unfortunately, like many of today’s holidays, Valentine’s Day is becoming way too commercialized. Ads float all over the place, reminding guys that there is only so much time to buy gifts and make reservations. “Our store has your perfect jewelry gift!” or “Don’t wait much longer to order flowers!” and my favorite: “Want your girl to feel like a princess?” Ever heard these before? Of course you have. That only proves my point.
And it also brings up another. What are all these ads focused on? They all are aimed at guys. So what’s the big deal?
I only have one question. Since when did Valentine’s Day turn into “Make the Girl feel like royalty day?” Now, to those of you sticking your noses up at this comment, please let me finish. I understand and completely agree with the fact that guys should buy gifts on Valentine’s Day. I have no argument here. But since when is that all that should be done?
Why can’t the girl do something for the guy? Why must this be a one-way holiday? Now, I’m not trying to say that it should be the girl’s job to buy gifts, make reservations, finalize plans, etc. But I am asking the question: Why can’t the girl do something?
Once again, I’m all down with the “gentlemanly act.” I wouldn’t mind doing it myself. But why must it be a single-gender holiday? To me, this is part of what comes along with the over-commercialization of holidays I mentioned earlier. It has changed from a day of love into a day of servitude. What happened to the simpler days, when Valentine’s Day was about mutual love, not just the male’s love?
Just this morning, I was listening to one of these morning radio shows, and they mentioned a survey that states that many men actually fear Valentine’s Day. The unfortunate part is that I can understand why they are afraid. There is so much that could be messed up. In fact, just a simple trip to Yahoo! this morning turned up a news article titled “Don’t Mess Up Valentine’s Day!” Why should there be such pressure to do EXACTLY the right things on Valentine’s Day?
Look people, I’m not trying to start a revolution here. I’m just pointing out the fact that this day used to be about the love between two people. Not just about a guy having to do all this stuff to prove his love. I’m not saying that he shouldn’t. I’m just encouraging the ladies to take part too. And don’t make such a big deal out of it. So what if his gift seems a little inappropriate for your particular relationship “stage?” Be happy with what you have and don’t make mountains out of molehills. The fact of the matter is, a gift is a gift.
Ok, so with the bad aspects out of the way, we can move on to the good. What isn’t good about a holiday dedicated to love? Not much. Especially considering what kind of state love is in these days. Most relationships don’t last over a year. More marriages are failing now than ever before. People are always being cheated on and lied to.
Thankfully, we have a day out of the year to sit down and reflect on what love truly is. While I won’t delve too deeply into this particular topic today, it is important that we have a time to do this.
Having a day for couples to spend together can’t be a bad thing. If your relationship is truly strong, the gifts and cards won’t mean nearly as much as the time you get to spend together. THAT is the true gift one can give on Valentine’s Day.
And sure, I did a lot more complaining about the couples’ side of Valentine’s Day, but the good things I added had ten times the value that the bad did.
So, what about those of us who don’t have a significant other with which to share Valentine’s Day?
I can tell you: you aren’t alone. Those of us without someone to share it with will sit around, silently loathing the continuous exchange of “I love you’s.”
We tend to refer to this particular day as “Singles Awareness Day.” And with good reason. To those who are single, Valenti- I mean, Singles Awareness Day does just that. It makes us more aware of our singleness. Plain and simple.
Now, I’m not going to write a huge sob-story, even though I probably could… However, I should say that many of us who are single probably have a sad story to tell. I’m sorry to say, but I don’t have a whole lot of advice to offer on that part. All I can say is that you shouldn’t lose hope. Eventually, someone will see you for who you are. Just focus on being aware, since you never know when or where you will find this person. Don’t count anyone out.
The feelings of being alone on a day like today are quite hurtful. I can’t help but look back to the past, remembering love that once was. But I can only hope for the future, building excitement for next year, when I might actually have someone to share this day with.
Don’t Ever Give Up Hope!
