I am not a big fan of Valentines day. It feels forced and commercial to me. I prefer to receive flowers, candy or a teddy bear (O.K. not a teddy bear) when you are not forced by a Holiday to give it. It is much more sentimental for it to come out of the blue.
When I was a kid Valentines day was fun, in fact most Holidays in our house were. My Mother loves Holidays! She would go all out and make each one a fantastic affair. Cupid would leave us a little gift and a box of chocolates or candy. We would make sugar cookies and give them out to friends. The house would be decorated with read, pink and white. I loved it!
When did I become a Valentines day Scrooge? Who knows most likely in my early 20's, with bad forced gifts being given on the Holiday, watching girlfriends hang onto a guy long enough to get the flowers or chocolates. I think it turned me off to the whole notion of receiving flowers, I don't even like roses all that much. It was around that time when my friend Carrie and I started celebrating "single awareness day" by making cupcakes and making sure our single friends were covered with love for the Holiday.
This year the scrooge has ebbed a bit, with a Mother who will always remember a card and a little something, My lovely Sister Brooke who, like my Mother, loves Valentines, and Beautiful Amber who not only creates a gorgeous card but sends a kit of cards for me to send out. They have slowly worked on me over the years to look at Valentines day as not a day for sappy lovers but a day to let the ones you do love know.
Who knows maybe next year I will get in the spirit and send out Valentines, we will see.
Happy Heart Day....Give yourself a Hug from me.
On a side note...I wore red yesterday and someone commented that I was dressed for the Holiday. I quipped I didn't know Presidents day had a particular color. Yes I didn't realize Valentines was today. I was wearing red because I look fabulous in the color.
