Thank you Hallmark, FTD and every other company behind the mass hysteria that is Valentine’s Day.
Every year in the middle of February we turn our thoughts to love and fork over fistfuls of money to these companies so we can show people how much we care about them. What a great idea.
I wish I could have been the person who came up with the idea of making a day where people shower each other with flowers, candy, cards and other heart-filled gifts. If I had been the man behind the idea, I would be counting my money instead of finishing my degree.
I have always been perplexed by the idea of having one day in the year where you are obligated to show someone how you feel. If you love somebody, hopefully they are aware of it before Valentine’s Day. If they don’t, you may need more than the Hershey’s Pot of Gold and a carnation bouquet to get your point across.
Every year I hear my friends whining about Feb. 14. It is their right to be spoiled by that special guy or girl and if they aren’t then the month is a disaster. Most of the time it is my female friends that are excited by Valentine’s Day and all its frills, while my guy friends dread the thought of being forced into expressing themselves because someone else decided Feb 14 would be a good day to do so.
Every year I seem to agree with the guys. We shouldn’t have to do something special if we don’t want to. We should get to choose when we want to show our affection. However, I have come to the conclusion that the most important thing about this holiday is to make people happy. If being snubbed will upset your significant other, you should make their day by making them feel special.
For 23 years I haven’t had to worry about what I was going to do on Valentine’s Day because I didn’t have a girlfriend when it rolled around. I never understood my friends dreading the day and couldn’t comprehend why girls would get so excited.
Every year except this year.
This year I have a reason to celebrate Valentine’s Day, that “reason” is Stefanie Jones.
This year I get my first crack at doing something with someone I care about on this holiday and I admit I’m pretty excited.
I was fired up about getting her present. I can’t say what it is in this editorial because it would ruin the surprise, but I’ve been told by friends that I did a pretty good job.
Although I’ve never been excited about Valentine’s Day, I am more than excited to participate in the yearly tradition because she is excited about it. I would be just fine with staying at home, watching a movie and hanging out, but we can do that any night of the year. Tomorrow night I will ignore ESPN and tune out the sports world because I get to spend the evening with my special someone and show her how much I appreciate her.