There’s something in the air this weekend. Is it love? Is it passion? Is it affection? Or is it blatant and nauseating insincerity? Supposedly, Cupid will flit around on Feb. 14, striking people with his arrows o’ love, causing everybody to be cute and happy and making this day the happiest of many people’s lives. Valentine’s Day is supposed to be a day of declarations of love, during which both men and women across the United States decide to declare their devotion for their “one true love.” Yet Valentine’s Day is really nothing more than one day of the year when you have no choice but to do something nice for the person that you’re with. It’s a Hallmark holiday, with commercialized pseudo-love hiding behind a pretense of real affection. But it’s not real. The affection shown is required, and the feeling isn’t necessarily sincere. Valentine’s Day is not a day where a man who really loves a woman suddenly decides to tell her or show her. Instead, he buys her a heart-shaped box of candy at Wal-Mart, picks up a single rose at Tidyman’s and calls it good. There’s no personal thought put into the action … and often times, there’s no sincerity behind it, either. The love shown on Valentine’s Day might be genuine, but it doesn’t have to be. Valentine’s Day is really nothing more than a holiday where love and affection and happy little hearts are foisted upon the general public. The best part about receiving a gift is the thought behind the actual gift. Valentine’s Day has taken all spontaneity and personal thought out of the gift-giving and made it easy to be “romantic.” Romantic, for all those who don’t know, is NOT stopping at the Dollar Store and buying a pink stuffed teddy bear, running to Tidyman’s and buying a $1.99 candy-filled heart and then finally going to the gas station and buying a wilted rose from a greasy, tattooed gas station clerk. It takes a little more creativity. So, for everyone who thinks that Valentine’s Day is their one chance to say how they really feel, I have a suggestion: If you love a person … say it! If you want to show them that you love them, surprise them with a spaghetti dinner or a daisy, no matter what day it is. Take them on a drive around the valley, take them bowling. Even if you don’t do any of these things, please … don’t give them a box of candy hearts that cost 59 cents that says “Be Mine” or “Kiss Me, You’re My Valentine” and think that’s enough. Put a little thought into the gifts given or the sentiments on Valentine’s Day. Remember that actual love doesn’t have anything to do with “100% Fun!” cards or cheap candy. If it’s real … find an original way to say it. |
