Valentine's day is one of those dilemmas - special days are supposed to be inclusive rather than exclusionary. I remember in my single days sitting at work and watching all the flowers being delivered to people wishing one of the bouquets was for me. I remember in school when kids would give Valentines to their classmates, and some kids would get so many and others would get none, amplifying their feeling of not being popular (I am quite positive there are people out there in life-long therapy for just that reason). Most of my single girlfriends absolutely dread/hate February 14 and would rather the day did not exist. I don't remember Valentine's Day being celebrated in the Czech Republic, however, in North America it is a day to celebrate love. I believe firmly that love comes in a variety of forms: partners, family, friends and even pets. I urge you to remember all those people you know who might need an extra-special something to make their Valentine's a day a good one - include someone - and for Pete's sake people, kiss your cat (or dog).
I have forbidden the Babe to send me flowers to work, rather we celebrate Valentine's day in private. This year, the Babe asked what I wanted for Valentine's day and I requested a Chapters gift card, because more than anything in the world, I love buying books... and there are a couple of books out there I very much want. Our goal for Saturday is to loaf around all day and do blissful 'nothings'.
So hugs and kisses to all of you and have a wonderful weekend.
38 comments:
I love the way Valentines seems such a big thing over there, it seems that children make Valentines for their whole classes. Over here it is very much the couple thing making it extremely exclusive and horrid for those people who are single. I'm with you, it should be a general celebration of all things love.
We did have the offer of a baby sitter but I couldn't bear the idea of sitting in a restaurant surrounded by couples, probably very young couples! We always stay in and cook something special after the kids have gone to bed. Much to the disgust of the children who were horrified to find us eating fillet steak and chocolate souffle the last time we did this.
Every day should be Valentine's day ~ in that I think if you need a specific day to be dictated to tell someone you love them that's wrong, you should be telling them every precious day.
I bake a heart-shaped chocolate cake for my crew for Valentine's, but like every other day I tell them I love them and the dogs get extra hugs too.
Happy Valentine's and a lovely weekend to you and yours!
Nice! I like the way Valentines day is celebrated in America than it is here. You are right, this holiday didn't exist here before, now it is a "damned American import" (that is what some people call it here) but it turned into giving a present to the one you are in love with. Misunderstanding.
beautifully put Raina, love is for all!
have a blissful weekend.
ginny xx
I love my valentine every day. :)
<3 to you!
I have to say I find the celebration very OTT here in the States.We don't make such a bog deal over it in Scotland. Another excuse for kids to get wads of candy it seems!
Thanks for reminding us of the real essence that should be acknowledged on this day!
I call it 'Sweetheart Day' and include all my friends/loved ones (especially my four legged sweeties :^) but don't go so far as the gifts...
I have fond memories of making cards and dropping them, one by one in all my classmate's bags.
Valentines Day is strictly off my radar this year. I hope you have a wonderful day. x
That's actually very considerate of you ma, the whole no flowers at work deal. At Nav's we have the linguine of love, and this year its the guys who cook and put on a show for the girls.
Hope you enjoy whatever book you decide to get, I know I need a knew one, I think I have read all of mine.
Enjoy buying some great books with your gift card! We don't really do Valentine's day. I pretty much just use it as an excuse to bake a dessert without guilt! Like you though I feel that we shouldn't have to have some recognized day to share love.
from one of the "i don't like valentines day," ie single girls out there a big thank you ; )
hope you have a lovely V day.
oh i never liked getting flowers because they died:( anyway, i was so lucky i never had a boyfriend during the 14th, i think i was afraid of getting married... hahaah
anyway, i bought my guy "darth vader" at almost 40, he still loves toys:D
p.s. i ADORED the RUNNER.... i will clean up tomorrow and put it on my table:D
Well said. I am not a big fan of the commercialisation either - it shouldn't be about buying and spending. I like the idea of doing something thoughtful for others
i too love to spend my valentines day in private~ {and must say the chapters card is a brilliant idea}, today we have gorged on homemade french toast, hazelnut coffee and about to curl up and watch movies for a lazy afternoon~ BLISS!
hope yours turns out just as splendid!
x ashley
p.s. those images are wonderful:)
Oh I remember how we'd hope that some secret admirer would send us a valentine! But fourteen year old Irishmen are a bit clumsy in the romance department, so most of us were disappointed! Hope you have a luxuriously lazy day!
I am a Valentines freak. I love it. I took the kids subs for lunch today and tomorrow I celebrate all day.
Great post.
Hi, Raina! Every day should be LOVE DAY! I feel that each day, each week we should remember our friends and loved ones...But I do love Valentine's Day. Hubby & I tend to celebrate quietly too. And as it is soooo cold here, we're not venturing out--LOL! We'll make a special dinner, a little wine, a film...After a busy week time together is a great gift. :o) Happy LOVE day to you & yours...may it be rosy with love and fun! ((HUGS))
You are too right. I always send extra loves to my single friends on Valentine's Day, as I know this must be a hard holiday for them.
Not that they need extra love, but I gave Joey and Maggie an extra squeeze in your honor! Happy Valentine's Day!
Happy Valentine's Day to you, too!
blissful nothing...need more moments like that!
hi,
something went wrong, sorry!
your comment disappeared from my blog :(
i still have it in my e-mail, so i hope you approve that i re-write it on your behalf. ok?
me & my hubby don't celebrate v-day, but if we were to, i would want a chapter's gift card too :o)
i really enjoyed browsing your blog and love the elephant you made in a post below :)
I remember those "no flowers for me" days. My hubby got me some flowers for my office, it was super sweet.
remember someone you love. check.
include someone. check.
kiss your dog. check.
lol. great post.
Ben and I went to lunch and a movie and then he bought me some ice cream. I was more excited about spending time with him than anything V-day.
But I'm still scarred from the junior high carnation delieveries. That was the most nerve wracking time of of my life.
We don't celebrate Valentine's day around here that much. Thanks for the hugs and kisses, anyway.
I hope you had a good Valentine's Day Raina! I guess growing up in the states, where we did Valentine's for classmates and parents always gave us valentines, I've never thought of the day as being just for "lovers". I've always loved Valentine's Day, whether I had a significant other or not!
It's never a bad thing to focus on love for a day is it? It's just the tacky stuff that gets sold for Valentine's Day that puts me off! Hugs and kisses to you, I had a lovely weekend and hope yours was too
They have strict rules around here for giving valentine's at school. Give to everyone or no one. I think there were so many kids/adults in therapy that someone finally realized that action MUST be taken!
I loved your post and I am with you about Valentine's day. I never was a huge fan but dedicating the day to spend time special time with someone you love is always nice. Scott and I just spend a nice evening at home and made a nice dinner together after the kids were in bed. I loved!
There are so many ways to make Valentines special. I hope yours was wonderful!
i guess i never really thought about it that way, raina. now that you mention it, it does seem strange that families get together for pretty much everything other major holiday - but not for v-day. what a strange culture we have...
i love flowers, but i'd much rather get them for no good reason at all than to know that my husband spent upwards of $100 just because it's somehow "expected"...i'm preaching to the choir, right? ;)
love the heart images!
and beautiful thoughts.
hope you had valentines galore!
sounds perfect. i hope your day was filled with love and happiness.
Very interesting and true thoughts! I personally love Valentines, but I have very positive memories about it! Love you photos as always. So beautiful!
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