Valentines Day: Tell Those You Love You Love Them…
…Because you never know what tomorrow will bring.
That’s one of Mr. Mad’s favorite sayings, right up there with “there’s always one more thing you can do.”
I suspect that Mr. Mad is sufficiently convinced that I am the female equivalent of an unromantic oaf due to my statements of disinterest in Valentine’s Day. Quite to the contrary, I am a firm believer in frequent displays of love and affection, and wholeheartedly follow his “tell those you love…” philosophy.
My thoughts on this day have nothing to do with romance. Valentine’s Day holds different meanings for different people. Third graders everywhere, still years from understanding the full depth and complexity of romantic love, are cutting hearts from construction paper, sharing fun Valentine’s Day cards with their classmates and eating those little conversation candies—who wouldn’t envy that? I actually love Valentine’s Day (no pun intended) as a kid’s holiday, in the same way that I enjoy Halloween as a day for kids to crunch through the leaves of autumn to gather treats, and return home to the crooked-toothed smiles of the pumpkins carved the night before.
The idea of Valentine’s Day as a serious adult holiday is more questionable. We all have days that we hold dear to our hearts for personal reasons, and February 14th holds no exemption from these accumulations of personally important dates.
For two of my dear friends, February 14th marks the anniversary of their marriage. Seven years, two beautiful children, and two adopted cats later, I am sure that they will be celebrating this day, and rightfully so.
For others, February 14th holds more somber meaning, as with the students and staff at Northern Illinois University, who are facing a much different kind of anniversary—my thoughts go out to the NIU community on this day.
I’m not sure that I can support this as a holiday, though, beyond perhaps the seventh grade. There are a lot of reasons for holiday celebrations. For religious types, Easter is about more than a bunny, and Christmas more than filled stockings and wrapped gifts. Thanksgiving provides a reason to see that Aunt Helen that you haven’t seen for a year—and given how dispersed many families are, this type of event appears to be a worthy of fanfare.
Love, by contrast, is highly personal. People have anniversaries and special days together, but couples interact in ways that are more frequent, more meaningful, and less predictable than a pre-set day on a calendar. The argument might be made for the historical significance of Valentine’s Day, but really–who knows what that is? Apparently, not even the History Channel.
Valentine’s Day may have religious roots–we think, maybe, whatever those might have been or meant. But the holiday has now transformed into a way of selling flowers and chocolates to those fearful of being put on the “outs” (whatever that means) for overlooking for what has become an important cultural–or at least retail–tradition.
Questionable history and commercial meanings aside, let’s take this February 14th as the day it is–another day that the most fortunate of us are blessed with the company of our loved ones. Just don’t forget to tell them that you love them, because you never know what tomorrow will bring.
Originally published on February 14, 2011
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This is lovely. More inspiration for me to sneak down to my husband’s office, plop a love note and a floral arrangement at the receptionist’s desk, beg her to wait until I leave to page him, and zoom out of the the parking lot! HUGS!
Wow, the me of last year was kind of a downer. This year, I’m suppressing the urge to skip around town singing Taylor Swift songs and handing out paper hearts. Maybe setting aside a day to celebrate love isn’t ALL bad…. 🙂
Having spent from 8-3 at my son’s school clipping hearts, helping run games and set up the parties, I fully appreciate that for kids it is a time to tell their friends they appreciate them. Sort of like Thanksgiving is a day to be gracious, Halloween is an excuse to be silly, Valentine’s is a chance to be caring. Especially to those we actually care about.
As for “romance” I don’t think it should be played up so much, as there are plenty of singles who have no significant other, widows and widowers. Just let today motivate you to tell someone (even if it is just your mom, or your kids or
your cat) you care.
Plus ANY holiday that encourages the giving of chocolate for any reason I am for 100%!
Wow! I couldn’t have said it better, MH. Thanks for the response. 🙂
Here is a perfect video that encapsulates all of the things you say about telling people you love them.
My gift to Mr. Mad was demonstrating that I really do know how to create a post on MMA. Turns out I really was paying attention (and taking mental notes) all those times I’ve watched over his shoulder.
I love you, Mr. Mad. 🙂
Wow! I’m impressed. I would say “I love you” in return but all my friends would call me names. Then again…who cares?
I love you….. 🙂
I won’t tell anyone. 🙂
No no, we won’t we’ll just make pithy juvenile comments. Not me though, I am so totally above that, I would look to the others here for proof of that 😉
*Jess slinks away to put up the annual sacrifice to the gods of chocolate before hubby gets home early today. We have the added bonus of our wedding anniversary being in the same week 17th for us, so it’s an all out love fest in our home this week.
Happy anniversary, Jess–and happy Valentine’s Day. Thanks for the song. 🙂