Valentine's Day Version 2.0

What is this epidemic that has plagued mankind when it comes to Valentines Day? You mention it to a single person and they act as though they were just told they're getting death by electric chair-"ohh god, please don't remind me." And people who are in relationships complain about it being a corporate created holiday that has no meaning behind it. Just another way for hallmark to manipulate $4.99 out of our hard earned cash for a cheesy card filled with recycled musings from some writer's post-it notes. Shouldn't we reward these writers for having to communicate our most intimate feelings for us since most of us are emotional quadriplegics? I mean when they're writing "you light my soul on fire" they're thinking "FML FML FML..."


And as the over complicating creatures we are, instead of using Valentine's day as an opportunity to express how we care about the people in our lives, romantic or not(because duh-we need holidays/special occasions to remind us to do that)-we use it for everything else. We start using it to gage our self worth and measuring the success of our last few Valentine's Days as if it were indication of our character or our likability. We can't help it-from a young age we've been conditioned to seek validation from boxed chocolates and candy hearts.

If you've been alone the last 5, you start contemplating going gay or marrying the childhood friend you made a pact with in High school-the one you have absolutely nothing in common with, except that you agreed if you both weren't married by 28-you'd marry each other. Couples in relationships start over analyzing the state of their commitment, some conclude they want to break up, but obviously after Valentine's day...cause they'd rather spend it with someone they're unhappy with then spend it alone. It's not just "singles awareness day"...it's also "miserable couple's awareness day."

Maybe that's the real epidemic. Collectively, as a group, we are soo ME centered nowadays. Completely self serving and self pleasing, the universe and stars gravitate around us. How less stressed would these people be if they put the same amount of energy into making someone else's day versus toiling over what being alone on Vday reflects about them or leading someone else on until the convenience has worn off? It always seems to me that the second I stop worrying about myself, and thinking of other people, the weight is lifted off my shoulders. So maybe that sentiment is just as equally selfish considering I feel I get more from giving-but hey at least that means someone else out there is having a better day too. It's like a 2-for-1 deal. Can't beat it.

My current boyfriend and the one before him both refuse to take me out ON Valentine's day. Rude. LOL, but I get it-the crowds, the fixed menus and the inflated prices are not appealing. I'd be totally happy with spending it at home, drinking a beer and watching some Lakers. Maybe some intense spooning to close out the night. Cause all that other stuff is not the point. The point is letting people you love know that you do. Whatever form that comes in. Yes, a new pair of Louboutins screams "be mine!", but so does cooking someone dinner or giving them a massage after a long days work. So good idea right? Making Valentine's day about someone else for once? Such a foreign concept. What's this giving and kind gestures you speak of?? Just remember thoughtfullness trumps dollar amount, everytime. That is-unless we are talking about the shoes named earlier;)