[A quick note about Valentine's day just because I think boys are dense. Especially after hearing so many of my girl friends tell me that...well, I'll save that for the actual blog. Boys, bookmark this and come back to it next year on February 13th. You can thank me later.]
I agree. Valentine's day has become way too commercialized. And it's so blatantly obvious. At the beginning of the month, every store in sight drags out Valentine's day concoctions - streamers and cupid decorations spilling out into the street, pink whipped cream with heart sprinkles, pink chocolates filled with disgusting liquor fillings, heart-shaped this, heart-shaped that, all in hues of red, pink, and white. And every store you walk into asks if you've gotten something for your sweetheart, hoping the answer is no, so they can sell you something that they guarantee will make her fall in love with you all over again.
No wonder boys hate the "holiday."
But do you know what Valentine's really is? It's a way to break up the complacency and routine of relationships. It's winter. It's cold. It hurts to walk outside. No one does anything but hurry to work and then hurry home to plop down in front of the TV for sweeps season. There's nothing special to do.
So once a year, boys are "expected" to bring home chocolate and flowers. And that sucks. I get it. Way to take the romance out of what is supposed to be the most romantic day of the year. And maybe you're a lucky one - and your girlfriend hates how commercialized February 14th is.
Even I think Valentine's is a Hallmark holiday.
But I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. If I had a boyfriend, I'd still hold out hope that he'd bring home flowers. And that whole day while I was at school or at work, I'd be giddy with excitement over what might be waiting for me at home.
Because no matter how cynical we are, how jaded we've become, how low-maintenance we might be, we will still be blown away by a simple bouquet. A handmade Valentine. Pretend reservations for dinner at that run-down hot dog shack where we used to go every day after work. Why? Because it means that you appreciate us. That you're thankful for the back rubs and the cooking and the cleaning and the fact that I wake you up after you throw your alarm clock at the wall - even though I know you're going to whine and complain.
Girls just want to be appreciated. We'll do so much for you, but you have to acknowledge that you're thankful for it, every once in a while. We're thoughtful, we're kind, and we'll even dress up for you. Shave our legs for you. Stab ourselves in the eye as we try to put on makeup. Put your name on the present we bought for the mutual friend's birthday. We're friendly to your drinking buddy who is looking at a future of sexual harassment lawsuits. Pretend to care when your ultimate dream car comes out. Let you have the remote control so that you can watch ESPN and every single possible analysis of the football game, when really, we'd rather be watching Grey's Anatomy.
The least you could do is do something back once a year.
So don't tell your girlfriend that you think Valentine's is over-commercialized, and then think that she'll understand when you say that "it's not your thing" to do anything. Or do tell her that, and then do something. Because hey, it'll make whatever you end up doing, that much better. We know Valentine's is over-commercialized. But hey, we've grown up with it. And we feel a little under-appreciated when we come home, and February 14th is just another day.
Or fine. Don't celebrate Valentine's. But dang it. Do something so that she knows she's special. February 19th looks awfully romantic to me.
3 years ago
