When I was little, my Dad would come home every Valentine’s Day with his arms over flowing with sweets and treats from our local Douglas Drug store. I can imagine him standing in a long line with other men who were last minute shopping.
My Dad wasn’t a last minute shopper, this was just how he did it, every single year. The gifts he carried weren’t just for my Mom, but for me and my sister as well. There were always chocolates for us and sometimes a toy or stuffed animal. My mom annually received a large heart-shaped box of chocolates and roses.
Years later, I carried on with the tradition. I bought similar gifts for that special person I was dating. I also purchased various chocolates and heart shaped items for my single friends so they wouldn’t feel left out. Then, when I met my husband-to-be, it all changed. Valentine’s Day was no longer that special day to espouse love and present gifts. It was just another day, no special than any other. It saddened me to think it was over.
We met in December. By the time February 14 rolled around, we were pretty serious. We were, in fact, exclusive. Love had been mentioned, though not yet by me (insert awkward smiley faced Emoji). And, we were spending every night together.
On that special day, February 14, 1999 to be exact, I purchased a Gerber daisy and chocolates and went over to see my sweetie. I had called him earlier to see what he wanted to do and when I arrived he had no plan and no real Valentine sentiment other than a “happy to see you” grin. I was pissed. How could a person say “I love you” and not have a Valentine’s Day plan? Or a box of chocolates? Needless to say, I went home.
The next day – February 15, 1999 to be exact – Jim showed up at my place with flowers and chocolates. He apologized for his behavior and I accepted. We went to dinner that night. We went to a place without a special Prix Fixe menu and I am pretty certain the chocolates were half-priced. Did I mind? Maybe, for a split second.
It was at that moment that I realized February 14 is just a day like any other. I don’t need anyone else to tell me when to buy chocolates or flowers or worse: choose my dinner for me with an already over-priced meal! And, I certainly don’t need anyone to pick the day to celebrate the love I feel for my husband and family.
I think we should celebrate this everyday, in one way or another. With kids and crazy schedules, we sometimes forget how we got here. I can appreciate the idea of a non-anniversary day to remember and celebrate where we started. However, I don’t need or want to celebrate it with everyone else in the world. It’s personal, and I like that we celebrate on our day.
Now that our son is in private school, I appreciate it even more that I can get chocolates at fifty percent off and flowers at a reasonable price. Just like my Dad, I have my own tradition…similar to his, but mine.
So, the day after the rest of the world has succumbed to peer pressure from Hallmark and its ilk, I head out to my neighborhood CVS and buy some half-priced Reece’s peanut butter shaped hearts for my husband and my son. Then, I go buy some non-jacked-up-priced flowers. At night, we either go out to dinner (prix fixe-less!!) or make something special, like lobster, at home. Occasionally, we invite single friends to celebrate as well.
This year, we are going to Palm Springs with about seven other families on Valentine’s weekend. Love fest 2015! Love doesn’t care if you are married, single or dating.
Love is everywhere, every day…and especially… in our house.