Valentine’s day is around the corner. I know a lot of you may have the opinion that it is a Hallmark Holiday. Its cards and flowers and Valentines and chocolates, maybe even some bling. Yes, it’s carefully marketed. Yes, it’s an invented celebration that has been completely commercialized.

I’ve heard the arguments. I don’t even disagree – but who cares?

I get my share of the commercialized swag. I love it all. I will always welcome gestures of affection in whatever mode of transportation they find me. For my boys, it is an opportunity to go above and beyond to show they care and I have to say, the older they get the harder it is for them to wear their hearts on their sleeves – even for mom. They are thoughtful year round. I get shiny rocks they discover on the way home from school or wildflowers they find growing by the pond. I LOVE IT! But they enjoy the over-the-top quality of the heart-shaped boxes and cheap chocolates. Not because they can’t be bothered to be sweet year round but because it’s fun.

My Husband is wonderful. I don’t’ have to wait for V-day for TLC but that doesn’t mean I don’t love the traditional sappy greeting card and overpriced flowers that he brings home.

Debatably we began dating on Valentine’s day in 1995. I say debatably because my hubby and I don’t agree on the date. I was in grade 12 and he showed up at my school to surprise me with a mushy card and an adorable teddy bear.

So sweet!

Unfortunately, I didn’t show up to school that day. Booo me – I know.

We saw each other the next day and he ‘asked me out’. Technically, we began dating on February 15^th…but the intention was on the 14^th so I prefer to give credit to that day.

Moral of the story, kids; don’t play hookie. The first day of your life with your soul mate could start a day late.

My parents do the most romantic thing. They each have a giant hardcover Valentine’s card that they purchased sometime in the early 80’s. Every year they write a little note in each other’s cards. Can you imagine? Three decades of little, lovey messages to look back on. These cards are such a treasure!

I guess my thoughts are that a gesture of love is beautiful. It might have been inspired by the bombardment of pink and red hearts when you walk into the grocery store but it is still beautiful. We should be loving and appreciative of our partner year round but what’s wrong with one day a year to go bat-shit-crazy over the top? You don’t have to cave to the commercial end of it. But why not make something special for your co-workers? Or send a series of thoughtful emails to your loved ones. Or go get some sexy boudoir pics done and shock the hell out of your spouse. Join in the fun!

I have the absolute good fortune to spend my V-day on the beach at a sunshine resort this year. It is a family vacation. Not sure that there will be paper valentines and ridiculously priced roses but I will be sure to show my loved ones that I care.

Wishing all you peeps loving thoughts on this Hallmark Holiday.

Xo

D.