Valentine's Day (Part 2)

Like I said yesterday, today I will be devoting my post to those of you who are anxious to spend tomorrow with the sole person who will either make or break your day.  This is for all the love birds out there.

Your relationship status is not the only variable within the Valentine's Day equation.  Typically, your gender determines the role you play during those 24 hours.  For men, we are expected to go above and beyond in an attempt to show our affection.  We have plenty of traditional options; cards, flowers, chocolates, and stuffed animals.  These are only the gift options.  We also must plan the dinner.  You can go for the 'wow' factor by making reservations at one of the most expensive restaurants in town, or you can try your luck in the kitchen of your home.  Either way, your lady will feel appreciated (just don't take her to some basic restaurant).

For women, they set the expectations for their man to go above and beyond.  Why? Mostly because they want to share what you have done for her with the world.  Whether that is posting pictures on Facebook or exchanging Valentine's Day stories with their friends over lunch.  Fellas, what you do will be exposed.  So take pride in what you do.  She wants to show you off.  You should think of it as if you are in a competition with every other boyfriend in world.  Be creative.  Do something that she will never forget.

The older I get, the less I look forward to Valentine's Day.  Over the years, I have become annoyed with the holiday.  I'm sure you all remember the good ol' days when Valentine's Day meant making a Valentine Box and classroom parties.  I used to get excited because I thought it was the only day I could tell one of my classmates I loved them (well, at least I thought I loved them.  Didn't really know what a crush was back then.) I would carefully word my Valentine for each girl in the class to make sure they fully understood how I felt about each of them.

I guess the same reason for my excitement on Valentine's Day when I was young, is the same reason I become annoyed now.  Today, I feel forced to express my feelings as if it truly is the only day I can. Valentine's Day is a great concept, but I don't believe a scheduled date is necessary to celebrate a relationship.     Every single day should be celebrated.  Flowers are not only sold in February.  Chocolate still tastes the same in May.  There is no window for you to show someone how much you truly care about them.

The infatuation with Valentine's day rests with the idea that for 24 hours, all over the world, love is celebrated.  Whether the love is between a man and a woman, two men or two women.  Whether the love is a friendship or a romantic companionship.  Love shouldn't be judged or taken for granted.  Valentine's Day reminds us of this.  It is the one day that can make even the most independent person feel vulnerable and lonely.

So forget what your relationship status is.  Valentine's Day isn't about that.  It is about showing your affection for those you love.  Don't be bitter simply because you feel like you have no one to love.  In elementary school there wasn't a VIP list for the couples.  Everyone received Valentine's.  It shouldn't be different now that we know our Times Tables.

P.S. Notice I didn't say anything about Diamonds! Women, we know, they are your best friend.  But fellas, unless you are 103.23% sure she is the one, don't bother.  Because if she is the one, it won't matter if you didn't go to Jared's.

(I know from experience.  My first serious Valentine's gift to a woman was in 3rd grade.  And yes, she still remembers that Valentine's Day!)