I freely admit it. I wasn't one of the 'popular' kids in school. If there hadn't been a rule about giving every kid in the class a Valentine card, I would have received very few. As it was, I didn't get any of the really cool ones some of the other kids got. No, I got the generic, run of the mill cards that were left after the 'best' ones were picked for someone else. Heck, there were times I didn't even any of the candy hearts.
So I've never been a big fan of Valentine's Day.
But that's not the biggest reason I'm still not a fan of the holiday. (Does it count as a holiday if you don't get the day off work?) No, what bothers me is how contrived the whole thing is.
Evidence points to several different historical figures that could have been the basis for today's celebration. Perhaps it was a combination of legends of all three. Why there is a Roman Catholic (and several other Christian denominations) saint for romance is beyond me. Does it really take divine intervention for a relationship to work? And how does that translate into a day when we are all encouraged to spend money just to show that we care about someone. Shouldn't we be doing that every day we are with them? (Not the spend money part, the show we care part.)
After all, that's part of what makes a relationship work—taking time to let the other person know that you care. Doing things that don't cost anything, like listening when they talk.Watching a TV show with them. Giving them a hug before you leave for work. It doesn't take a saint to tell you these things make an impression.
I don't expect flowers or candy for Valentine's Day. If I get a nice card I'll be happy. An extra kiss or two will be great. A heartfelt "I love you" is always nice to hear.
And then there's the important question—if the day is supposed to be about romance, how comes we are 'training' our kids to take part? Kids as young as three or four are making cards for their parents. Why? Just why? (Besides the obvious—get them to spend money.)
So I'm not going to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day. I will thank you for taking the time to read my blog and (hopefully) my books. And may February 14th and every day be happy.
Now let's hop on over and see what the other authors have to say.
Evidence points to several different historical figures that could have been the basis for today's celebration. Perhaps it was a combination of legends of all three. Why there is a Roman Catholic (and several other Christian denominations) saint for romance is beyond me. Does it really take divine intervention for a relationship to work? And how does that translate into a day when we are all encouraged to spend money just to show that we care about someone. Shouldn't we be doing that every day we are with them? (Not the spend money part, the show we care part.)
After all, that's part of what makes a relationship work—taking time to let the other person know that you care. Doing things that don't cost anything, like listening when they talk.Watching a TV show with them. Giving them a hug before you leave for work. It doesn't take a saint to tell you these things make an impression.
I don't expect flowers or candy for Valentine's Day. If I get a nice card I'll be happy. An extra kiss or two will be great. A heartfelt "I love you" is always nice to hear.
And then there's the important question—if the day is supposed to be about romance, how comes we are 'training' our kids to take part? Kids as young as three or four are making cards for their parents. Why? Just why? (Besides the obvious—get them to spend money.)
So I'm not going to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day. I will thank you for taking the time to read my blog and (hopefully) my books. And may February 14th and every day be happy.
Now let's hop on over and see what the other authors have to say.
Feb. 12, 2018 – Valentine’s is this week. Chat about the most irritating thing about this event.
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Yes, Valentine's Day is terribly contrived. It's all about spending money on cards unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteAnd candy, and overpriced restaurants ...
DeleteMy mom told me that when she was young (born 1923 in the wilds of the Northern Plains) she and her sisters would darn each other's socks and mend each other's clothes as a Valentine's Day gift to their mother. Mom remembered feeling especially loved on V Day when sister Beth did her mending, because Beth was a wonderful seamstress. It wasn't until she was middle aged that she realized that Beth would have done the same needlework regardless of which sister's mending she was doing. Love is really about what you do, not what you give or spend and I think that all the emphasis on spending and buying actually denigrates the celebration.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right!
ReplyDeleteI whole heartedly agree with you.
ReplyDelete