epicureantease

We’re a week away from Valentine’s Day, a holiday that makes most men run scared and forces many women into chocolate and wine induced coma’s to survive the day.  Good times!

This post is dedicated to my thoughts about  “V” Day.  Here we go.  It’s A day. Repeat after me, A, as in ONE, day! Just one. That is all. If you love and care about someone, whether it’s a spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, parent, sibling, grandparent, child, friend (you get the idea), should you really wait until the 14th of February to express it? Expressing it with everyone else who has been suckered into this overpriced and overhyped Hallmark holiday? Yeah, that’s original. And God forbid you don’t live to see that day… now that’s a thought!  Or do you show them and tell them you love them throughout the other 364 days of the year?  When you have the chance?  I should hope the majority, if not each of you, went with the latter. There is so much pressure built up around this one flippin’ day that it can only lead to disappointment for those lacking a Valentine and resentment for the lack of participation from those who have a Valentine.  Relax. Take both out of the equation. Life is too short to be disappointed and resentful, especially over something like Valentine’s Day. Remove all expectations. Just enjoy the day for what it is. A day you’ve been blessed to have woken up to. If you happen to have a special someone to spend it with (regardless of your type of relationship with them), by all means, don’t not spend it with them just because it’s a commercialized holiday,  just don’t spend it with them just because it is.

Don’t let me fool you,  I’ve bought into the commercialism of the day.  My home is decorated with accents of red, a few walls adorned with heart-shaped wreaths. Candy jars are filled with chewy cinnamon hearts, See’s sour hearts and See’s red foiled milk chocolate hearts.  I’ve bought a few kiddie Valentine’s and cupcake scratch-n-sniff stickers that I’ll send out to a few friends with the intent to make them smile.  Reminding them of the simpler times of childhood when we’d all make heart-shaped envelopes and decorate shoe boxes and we’d receive 20-plus cartoon themed Valentine’s from our classmates. When our biggest stress on this day was whether we wanted to sign our name to a Valentine that read, “Be Mine” when the recipient was of the opposite sex! GASP!! Funny the things that are such a big deal when we’re kids. 🙂

The point to my rambling…. if you care about and/or love someone, share it with them when you get the opportunity.  Don’t wait. You wait, and you may lose your chance. Do thoughtful things for others (strangers even) throughout the year.  Kindness and thoughtfulness shouldn’t be restricted to holi-DAY-s.  The simplest of gestures pack the greatest punch. Truly. Women. Yes, I’m talking to you! Don’t get your panties in a bunch because February 14th came and went without recognition from your significant other. Think of all the other days they’ve shown you love, kindness and thoughtfulness. You’d have to admit, if you’re only treated like a queen one day a year, there is something wrong in your relationship. Just sayin’. If you choose to celebrate Valentine’s day, do it because you want to, not because you’re forced or feel obligated. Do it without expectation and unnecessary stress. Do it because doing  something for someone else (or yourself even), brings you joy and puts a smile on your face.  Is’t that what love is anyway!? 🙂

I don’t understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine’s Day.  When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon.  ~Author Unknown