Valentine

Following on from my lovey dovey posts of late its Valentine's Day this week.

I love Valentine's day.  Mainly because its also my wedding anniversary but because I love the whole romance of the occasion.  The cheap tat you can buy to express your undying love to your other half, the overpriced meals at all the local restaurants, the oversized cards stuffed with words of inane drivel that if said face to face would make you either  cringe or laugh your head off.

I love, love, love it.

When I  arranged my wedding to Jurgen,   I was speechless with excitement when the travel people said that February 14th was free and we could marry on this day.   Me, Jurgen , my mum, the children on an exotic beach on the most romantic day of the year...well, it was just meant to be.

I remember the couple getting married there the day before us and thinking, why?  Why would you have chosen the 13th when the 14th is Valentines day.  But then I guess they get to eat out on their anniversary relatively cheaply!

Jurgen and I always go out for dinner on our anniversary.  And I know that I am paying through the nose for a meal but  I love the sense of occasion, the romance and I love that this day is our special day celebrating when we made our family whole.

I know people have a problem with only being romantic on one day a year.  In my opinion this is overthinking a day that is now designed to boost the coffers of the card makers, florists, restaurants, hotels, etc etc.   Why make it complicated?  Jurgen buys me flowers regularly and makes tiny romantic gestures occasionally, as do I, but on Valentines Day I want the works.  I want flowers, chocolate, jewellery, dinner.  Because I am massively materialistic and because what girl doesn't love their partner buying them gifts?  Shallow? Yes, definitely.  Honest?  Absolutely.

But puke inducing words aside and like I have said before not everyone is so lucky.  I remember being single and being overwhelmed with Valentine's day shit and thinking another year of single, another year of no love.  But why does it have to be about couples?  When the very point behind Saint Valentine has long been forgotten and its now just a commercial dream.  Why not confess your undying love to yourself?  Daft?  Maybe....but what a brilliant idea.

Buy yourselves a big bunch of red roses.  Treat yourself to a takeaway, buy yourself the necklace you've always wanted or just treat yourself to a box of chocolates to eat whilst watching Eastenders...tell yourself that you love you and to hell with the world.  Because that's where it should start, with you loving you.

I am not getting any gifts this year, I have had my ring and my washing machine (romantic gift of the century)  but if I don't get the flowers and the chocolates then divorce is going to be on the cards....

So, this year when Thursday comes, I want everyone to love Valentines day.  Whether you are overwhelmed with gifts from your partner or not. 

Try telling yourself that you love you.  Because if no one else is going to this Valentines day then the very best person to make this declaration is you.   No one has to hear but you.  Try it.  Please.