A Few Thoughts on Valentine's Day

Let me start out by saying that I love holidays. All holidays. Yes, they may be very commercialized but when you take away all the candy, gifts, cards, etc. that stores push you to buy, there is something great to be celebrated with each one in whatever way you want to.

That being said, I love Valentine's Day. And I'm sure some of my single friends are thinking (if they happen to read this), "Of course you love Valentine's Day, you're married!" Along with all the posts on facebook saying "Happy Valentine's Day" there are just as many saying "Happy Single Awareness Day" and that always makes me cringe. Yes, everywhere around you, boyfriends and husbands are buying flowers for their girlfriends and wives and neglecting everyone else, but that is not the way it has to be. I have always celebrated Valentine's Day. It started when I was young when I would wake up to find small gifts from my parents every year. It continued as I had boyfriends and now my husband, but even when I didn't have them. When I was single in high school, my mom and I would always do something special, usually involving chocolate and chick flicks. When I went to college, I celebrated with my roommates by going out to dinner and then doing something with chocolate and chick flicks. And even now, it's not just about me and my husband, I think of everyone I love in my life; my son, my parents, my siblings, etc. I always make a point to call my mom and whoever else I feel inspired to on Valentine's Day. It's not about couples, it's about love.

So while I do not believe in saying "I love you" only on Valentine's Day (I say it every chance I get), I still think it's just as good a day as any. So start celebrating everyone you love on Valentine's Day and tell someone you love them. The only thing we take away from this life is the people we love, so why not have a holiday to celebrate the one thing that will stay with us forever!