Soon after the Christmas holiday -- and by soon I mean a day or two -- I began seeing hearts, x's, and o's in red and pink.
It wasn't even January and already the stores were throwing up Valentine's Day displays.
Colorful fluffy stuffed animals of all breeds and sizes, heart shaped boxes filled with chocolates, and cutesy candies that read "Be mine" abruptly took over many stores.
As Valentine's Day approaches I become less and less interested in going into any shopping facility to witness this frenzied "Hallmark holiday" that has taken our culture by storm.
If you can't tell, I'm not a V-day fan. It's not a holiday.
Don't get me wrong, I love chocolates and balloons, obscene displays of flowers and heartfelt cards as much as any other girl. And if you were to ask any of my friends they would tell you I have a soft spot for teddy bears and fuzzy plush frogs, but I'd prefer not to have a cedar chest full of them.
In all honesty, I've never understood Valentine's Day. And seriously -- Cupid?! Someone get that guy some clothes. He's a creepy little dude in a diaper who assaults unsuspecting individuals with his arrows, poisoned to make people fall in love. I'm going to vote that if an arrow is coming at you, get out of the way.
But, back to my point …Where did V-day come from anyway? Some say the greeting cards made it up as a way to raise profit margins -- they would be masterminds if that's true, since 25 percent of annual card sales are for V-day.
The history of Valentine's Day is a little muddied. The modern celebrations are said to have been derived from both ancient Christian and Roman traditions. Then again, perhaps it began with the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration. Apparently with the rise of Christianity in Europe, many pagan holidays were renamed for, and dedicated to the early martyrs. Lupercalia was no exception and in 496 A.D. it was declared the feast day in honor of Saint Valentine, a Roman martyr. Actually, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia, there were at least three early Christian saints by the name of Valentine … and all three of them were said to have been martyred on Feb. 14. (Sounds like an unlucky day if you ask me.)
Regardless of the historical implications, today's V-day is hyper-commercialized.
Every year, the fourteenth day of February has millions across the world professing their love for their "special someone" through frivolous, and sometimes ostentatious, gifts. Restaurants and eateries are filled with couples who are eager to celebrate their relationship and the joy of their togetherness through delicious cuisines. This one day is reserved to tell your "special someone" how much you love and appreciate them.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't that be done everyday? If you really love them, if you really appreciate them, why wait for Feb. 14 to say these things? Haven't you ever been told tomorrow is never a guarantee? So, what's wrong with a random Thursday, 6 a.m. Monday, noon Sunday?
Perhaps V-day's purpose is for those who feel the need to overcompensate for working too much or being an absent party in their relationship. Still, many women take Valentine's Day very seriously, and whatever their significant other gives to them on the big day will be broken down, analyzed, evaluated, by not only her, but her friends, too.
Hyper-critical of every move made, women ask, how much did it cost? Where did it come from? Is there a limo ride and candle light dinner? What's the weight of this diamond ring and is it platinum? … Gasp, am I not worth it?!
If not answered correctly, or expectations are not met, hearts are broken, tears are shed, and Ben and Jerry's ice cream makes a killing for the next week as she sits there sobbing in her pajamas while some sappy lovey-dovey movie plays on repeat.
In full disclosure, I think these women give all women a bad rap. Be thankful for what you have and be gracious for what you're given. Geesh!
By now you may be thinking I'm a bitter single, green-with-jealousy woman who has never experienced Valentine's Day. I assure you, that's not the case. In fact, I've had my apartment covered in rose pedals, my room filled with six dozed long-stem roses, surprise office-visits with balloons, stuffed animals, and chocolates; I've even experienced the V-day proposal.
Each time, I was grateful. Smiled and said, "Thank you." But it never changed my mind about this love-crazed "holiday."
I'd like to start a movement -- couples against V-day conformity. Make your Valentine feel like your special someone everyday. If that's too difficult, perhaps you should reconsider your priorities.
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