Valentine's Day

This was never a favorite holiday of mine.  It just seemed bizarre to me.  One because I never seemed to have a valentine and two because shouldn't we show love every day?  Ok, the later one makes me sound more noble but I think it was the former that I was more concerned about when I was younger.  Now, I am more mature, hmmmm.

The first year we were together, I told my husband I wanted flowers sent to school.  I insisted upon it, in fact.  He was not happy but I made it an issue.  It was a status thing.  I even told him that he didn't ever have to do it again - just once.   I was exorcising a demon.   I got the flowers but he was not happy about being "forced" to do it.  Oh well!  Demon exorcised.  He still brings me flowers but they are more for surprise or apology than for occasions.  I actually would rather have a whole plant than cut flowers but I will gratefully take either.

After I met my husband and the bliss of actually having a "valentine" on Valentine's Day, it seemed a little redundant.  Here was the love of my life.   He showed me every day that he loved me and I did the same for him.  Why a special day to demonstrate it?

Now, though, we have 2 wonderful children.  Sometimes, we don't always take the time to get flowers or make a special treat or surprise each other.  It is not that the love has changed - he still knows me better than anyone and he is still my best friend - we are just too busy or tired to think about it.  So the idea of a day where we are "forced" to demonstrate love for each other suddenly
makes sense (just so long as you keep expectations realistic!).
I also like the idea of doing all the kitchy things for
my kids.

So, I don't think that Valentine's Day was invented by the greeting card companies, I think it was invented by a set of parents of young children who needed a reminder to show each other that they still loved each other as much as when they first met!
And red at the tail end of winter is a pretty good pick me up.
Happy Valentine's Day