Funny Valentine

I’ve never been too big on Valentine’s day.  Single or attached, I’ve never been completely hyped over giving chocolate, balloons or flowers.  I’ve always thought that shit was cliché and pretty played out.  But if I’m honest with myself, I have always had million dollar Valentine's day ambitions on a chocolate and balloon budget.  In the end, there may have been some flowers and cards  involved for the young women I have been in relationships with.  Sometimes there wasn’t.

In the past I have said, love should be expressed to and for your loved one throughout the year, why wait until February?  I still believe that, but it’s easy to get caught up with everyday life responsibilities.  Relationships are not as linear and neat as I thought them to be ten years ago.  Being in love as a teenager and young adult is sharply different than being in love in your 30’s and 40’s.  I still believe love, real love should carry a relationship through the many stages of triumphs and challenges, but it does take a lot of work.  I’ll admit to sticking my foot in my mouth about how  relationships  should not have to be work, but like any craft, you have to work at it in order for it be better.

But this isn’t really about my new philosophy on love and relationships.  As a single person, I’m not in the business of telling folks what they should or shouldn’t do in a relationship. 

Most of us do work hard at our relationships all year, so a day to observe and express how much you love someone isn’t a bad idea after all.  We all need to reward ourselves at least once a year for working so hard at staying committed to each other.   It feels good to be reminded that you’re loved, appreciated and beautiful/handsome.  

So, instead of being the Grinch who drop kicks cupid in the nuts this year,  Happy Valentine’s Day.