Seriously... someone ask.
I could be negative and say the traditional things like "It's a disappointment," or "It's a reminder of how empty our lives are," and "it's a relationship day of obligation" or even the mas supremo negative comment of "it's a danged Hallmark holiday" (which it really kind of is)!
I could go all historical and be all researchy and say things like "it was some sort of Holiday regarding St. Valentine" which makes it a good day to make a martyr of oneself. And it is also apparently a good day to wipe out your mob nemesis. But noooo, researching and typing out actual facts just ain't* my style!
*Please note that my use of "ain't" is not typical of me. Even though I live in the South (East) I have been able to use neither "ain't" nor "y'all" seriously in conversation.
So really, I'll just go with my opinion on the day, which is what I'm sure you all wanted to know when you started flooding me with the question "hey dude, what is Valentine's Day to you?"
Well.... I don't know. I haven't really thought about it that much. You've really put me on the spot with this one.
I think, as with most "holidays," as I've grown older, it has become yet another day of reflection for me. I guess it is a point of reference for me to look back at and see where I have been at this time each year.
But, is it really a holiday? I am not entirely certain about that. It's a Feast Day in the Catholic Church. And it is also a Saints Day which apparently means that if you've given something up for Lent, you can TOTALLY HAVE IT on that particular day... So, Valentine's Day is the one day I can have a CHEESEBURGER* during Lent... that is until St. Patrick's Day... GIGGITY!!! But I have to believe that there is more to a "Saints Day" than that.
*I am NOT going to go into detail of what I have given up for Lent. As it turns out, I try to do more Church related stuff than I actually give up and do without during the holidays. So.. just leave me alone. I don't have to explain myself to you. Just let me enjoy my Cheeseburger and be on your way!
Yes it is a day that I do think about that special someone in my life and send her something to tell her that I do in fact enjoy spending time with her and would like to spend more... so at least I covered that much, right? But, I want her to know that EVERY DAY! So then I feel like a mindless drone for giving her a gift on Valentine's Day as if to say "Okay, I'll make the sandwich today. You've got the next 364 of 'em to do now? We're good, right?"
As a kid... whoa... this day is BIG TIME!!! Kids are stoked for a good week or two before the holiday waiting to find out just who really likes them. These days we parents have to decorate a box to send to school with our children so they can properly collect and manage all of the assumed loot that they will (damn well better) receive.
Man, I remember Valentine's day as a kid. I loved getting all of those awful tasting, but oh so rewarding, "Be Mine" candy hearts. And then there's all the cards from your classmates. WHOO HOO!!! Of course, I would hand out a few (just a few) " I love you. Do you love me? Circle YES of NO" cards. Sadly, 99.9% of the time the girls would write on the card "I love you in God's way!" DAMMIT!!!!
But, no, we had no box to carry our pride of love cards and candies (or dismal shame of lack of loot) home safely. I guess box technology in the 70's just wasn't what it is today. I wrapped a HUGE box for my child to collect her loot in. Yes, she reminded me afterwards that I had to cut a hole in it for the loot to go in. "CUT A BIG ONE DADDY!!!" That's m'girl!
Now, as a Father, Valentine's Day is a day to make sure my child knows how much I love her (but I try to do that EVERY DAY) and so I give her a card, some candy and a rose. I AM TOTALLY SETTING SOME YOUNG MAN UP WHEN SHE IS OLD ENOUGH TO DATE!!! And I am totally fine with this.
But yes, most of all, it is a great excuse to give someone you love something that says how much you love them.... right?
I have to say that, I think the best Valentine's present I ever got was this:
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| Just slip it in to it's leather case and... PURE SEX APPEAL!!! |
I was actually given roses once. They could NOT cut through anything and they only lasted a few days. Actually six of them went pretty quickly. As it turns out, they don't open beers very well either.
But that's irrelevant. Most of all, for me it's just another day to appreciate those people whom I cherish in my life, and for this year in particular, Valentine's Day is....
A Thursday.
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