The two month love train is about to leave the station. From New Year’s Eve to Valentine’s Day, it can feel like open season on singles. I personally feel an affinity for the groundhog who slips off to dreamland from October until the beginning of February (but I would settle for being able to sleep in until eight a.m. once in a while). I didn’t realize how vocal I had been about my distaste for Valentine’s Day until I heard my words coming out of my youngest son’s mouth the other night, “Gah! If I see one more every kiss begins with Kay commercial, I am going to barf!!” I am paraphrasing here.
I had to laugh because it’s true, the cupid overkill with cheesy ads is a bit much for me. But I don’t like that he has picked up this attitude at such a young and tender age and this gave me a reality check. Most of my long married friends don’t even do the gift thing with each other and the smart ones avoid dinner out on the actual date and celebrate earlier. My parents have been married close to fifty years and there is no doubt that they love each other to the core. But they don’t show it through bouquets of roses or Godiva boxes (although I am sure my mom wouldn’t protest if a Tiffany blue box happened to show up-hint, hint dad!). They love one another by getting up early to make the coffee, washing the car and filling the tank, or taking a spin around the dance floor once in a while.
I will always be a hopeful romantic and while this in not my season for mushy cards and overpriced flowers, I need to be mindful of what I am communicating to my boys who are quickly growing into men. I don’t want them to feel less than in their seasons of being single and I want them to have healthy, loving relationships in their lives. They need to know that there isn’t just one day to celebrate the person you love, but a lifetime (and that they deserve this as well). In reality, the things that they do to show love to their girlfriend (and future wife) might not be the things they see in TV ads or romantic movies. Maybe making a favorite dinner for them or taking the kids out for breakfast so she can sleep in a little longer will be what really makes her feel loved. I don’t want my boys to be moved to vomit at the site of a jewelry commercial, so I am changing my tune and celebrating the spirit of the season of love. I wish you Happy Valentine’s Day, from the bottom of my heart.
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Tags: boys, commercials, heart, love, singles, valentines day
Heidi, I share your distaste of what seems like one more way for the retailers to put their hand in my pocket book! I remember way back over 22 years ago receiving the absolutely worse V-Day present ever. Do you think I remember who gave it to me? Sure. Because I married him. The day to day things that we do to show love and care far surpass HallMark and Kay’s ideas of Cupid’s holiday! Ps. Even I know about your distate of the day!Move over Ground Hog!
It must be love if you still married him, LOL!!