The Valentines Post

I know, I know, there are valentines posts all over the blogosphere. Happy, slushy, romantic noises of love. I don't want to be a part of the herd but it's valentines day and it's a blog post must. I will take a different slant on the day though. 

I don't want to know what wonderful romantic things you are doing today, or what stunningly sentimental acts of love have been put to you. I'm going to ask for your honest thoughts on this seemingly growing "holiday" (even though we don't get a holiday)

From my point of view, a commercial day only. 

I know valentines has its history seeped in romantic secrecy. A religious man (Valentine) marrying people in secret but now it appears to have a whole new concept.

Its a day where the main benifitters are the card companies, flower sellers and eateries. We are told that we must show our partners how much we love them or risk being labelled unromantic. 

As well as the unromantic label, valentines day can be hurtful to those without a partner at that point I time. It can reinforce the self negativity people carry with them. Lack of cards, declaration of love or candle lit home made meals does not mean you are unworthy or unlovable, it means you are either in a solid loving relationship that doesn't need to be dictated to about you show your affection, or at this point in time, you don't have a partner but should be loving yourself. Love yourself and it makes it so much easier for others to love you. 

I don't need a commercial day to tell my husband that he should do something "nice" for me. I expect his continued love and support all year as he expects from me. If people think showing love is a once a year thing, you're in for a long slow year between dates. 

So even though valentines day does has it's own start somewhere back in history, today is little more than a commercial gimmick. 

Yes the majority of holidays now are commercial gimmicks, but not ones that drive sensible grown adults crying into their frappachino cups. 

Let's accept for what it is. A gimmicky day. Enjoy it if it's something you do, but also give someone special something extra tomorrow. A thoughtful cup of tea in bed before their alarm goes off or a foot rub at the end of a busy day. Love is for life, not just a day.