It rolls around every year, and thankfully, it is now over.
It’s a war most commonly known as Valentine’s Day.
Some don’t make it through without raised blood pressure and a stomach full of antacids.
The battle generally ensues days before V-Day.
Men frantically order flowers and chocolates to be delivered to their main squeezes’ place of employment.
Of course, there are also restaurant reservations to be made and times and schedules to coordinate.
For some, there are even sparkly trinkets to purchase.
Once all the ammunition is lined up and ready for use, the V-Day mêlée kicks off as soon as the alarm clock sounds on the fated Feb. 14.
People go to work and begin to experience the trappings of war.
Some receive their gifts while others anxiously hope their gifts are delivered properly.
The stress is palpable.
After work, there’s driving.
Yikes.
Everyone is trying to get to reservations or movies or other planned V-Day celebrations on a schedule that conflicts with everyone else.
The road rage is always at an incredible level.
When the meal or movie is completed, the rest of the evening is spent reflecting on how the V-Day celebrations unfolded. If it went badly, this portion of the battle can be the most devastating.
How many people get engaged on Valentine’s Day as opposed to how many relationships are torn apart by the holiday?
I have no idea, but something tells me the numbers might be more similar than initially thought because either way the day could be chalked up to either cliché or irony.
Then again, maybe I just have a different take on the day, which is fine.
Personally, I barely celebrated the event this year.
My girlfriend and I had Valentine’s Day lunch, but we did so after 1 p.m. to avoid crowds.
We also enjoyed a nightcap of ice cream and a rented movie, but no gifts of any kind were exchanged, which is good.
After all, what is Valentine’s Day anyhow?
Isn’t it just a day created by retailers to sell people more things they really don’t need?
It shouldn’t take a holiday to force a person to tell another how he or she feels. That is something that should be done on a daily basis.
Fighting the V-Day war is pointless, and I finally figured that out this year.
Normally, I stress over holidays because I want to make the day enjoyable. I always have awful road rage when driving around, and I worry about my plans working out properly.
Not this year.
Thankfully my girlfriend and I agreed to keep the day more low key and about being in each other’s company.
I feel bad for those without someone because with all the retailers pushing the idea of hearts, candies and flowers, it can be a depressing time.
In fact, I know one person who likes to wear black on V-Day because she said it is more about mourning being alone than celebrating being with someone.
Don’t wait until the middle of February to tell a person how you feel about him or her.
Do it everyday, and do it right away because you never know what is going to happen.
Above all, do not let retailers dictate your life through holidays they undoubtedly helped create.
Totally agree with you.