It's funny. Valentine's Day has never meant much to me, at least not since elementary school days, when the number of Valentines in your box
were a direct representation of how popular you happened to be.
Every year, of course, Valentine's Day seems to get bigger, much like other holidays. The world is filled with roses, special dinners, gifts, television commercials for diamonds, and all kinds of tips on what to do for your special guy or girl on that day.
But I'm wondering how many of us do actually love Valentine's Day? I have six close women friends, and only one of them would say that she loves the day (and as she moves into her 30s, I think her interest is waning). That's not much of a ratio.
Is it a holiday for show? Have roses in the office just replaced the valentines of elementary school? Do we really want to make an arbitrary big deal out of February 14, or do we do it because it's expected?
I'm thinking it's gotten to be far more of the latter. Don't get me wrong -- I'm happily married, and I love it when my husband does something special for me. I love flowers or cards just as much as the next person. But it means more to me if it comes on an ordinary day than when it comes on a day that has become almost a required performance.
What about you? Are you like my friend who still looks forward to it as a romantic day? Or has Valentine's Day lost its charm?