Valentine's Day Isn't For Sissies

Excuse #1: "It's just an excuse for card and candy companies to take your money."

Excuse #2: "Why do one day what you should be doing the other 364 days a year?"

Sound familiar?  I know I've said these in the past as reasons to not celebrate Valentine's Day.  I too was once a Valentine's Curmudgeon.  There was a time, even in my married life, when the whole holiday seemed silly to me, for reason #2 more than anything else.  (In my defense I did live up to my words and made some effort throughout the year.) I feel you friends.  I understand where you're coming from. 

However, a few years ago, at the gentle prompting from my longsuffering wife (whom I honestly believed felt the same as me) suggested that she would appreciate just a little Valentine's Day celebration.  At that moment I realized that I had been a complete idiot about the whole holiday.  I immediately repented of my purposeful neglect and began restitution in the form of surprise delivery of flowers on or about Feb 14th. 

I'd like to make a suggestion to anyone that is feeling a little curmudgeonly on this holiday.  (I'm speaking more to my fellow males than anyone else.)  Try it out.  Surprise your significant other with a little something on V Day. I guarantee they'll appreciate it. 

The "excuses" seem valid but the problem is that they are really just that, excuses.  Excuses, because you've been hurt in the past, or romance makes you uncomfortable, or you're lazy, or a cheapskate.  It's time to get over your hangups. When given an explicit opportunity to celebrate your relationship and shower love and romance on someone you love and care for deeply, why would you be so foolish as to neglect that?

1. You don't need to spend much, if any, money to make a special effort.  In love, unlike so many other things, honest effort and intentions count for a lot.

2. It's entirely possible to make a big deal of Valentine's Day AND still make an honest effort throughout the year to romance your beloved.   In fact, once you start finding ways to romance you will find that the whole process is not: silly, a chore, a waste of money, or hard.  It is in fact a lot of fun with real and tangible benefits to yourself, your partner, and your relationship.

There's no better time than now to start.  It may be uncomfortable at first, but with a little practice you'll get into the swing of things and find out just how awesome Valentine's Day  can be. 

Go forth and sweep them off their feet.