The evil V-day... or is it?

I dunno. I started by feeling like it was stupid to care, that I was being a dumb girl cuz I wanted a Valentines dayt, but then I wonder whats so bad about dedicating a day to celebrating love? Why do people hate it so much?...

1. Its super commercialized. True. But you can celebrate valentines day without giving in to the whitmans sampler, 2 dozen roses, heart shaped jewelry, pink stuffed animals, and even pricey dinners, if you want. Although, lets be serious, nothing wrong with chocolate, flowers, pluffies, or yummy food. But you could just turn off the cell phone, make a dinner at home, and spend a little time together. And ok so it has turned into a hallmark holiday, where whatever company sells merchandise and tries to make a buck. But what holiday hasn't? Christmas. Easter (ahem, egg-laying bunny, I'm talking to you). Even Channukah has gotten dragged into the shuffle. St. Patricks Day (apparently you dont need to be Irish to drink green beer). Admit it, we make up holidays because its fun to celebrate. So why not celebrate love?

2. "You shouldn't need a stupid holiday to show the person you love that you care." Sorry, but this is such a lame cop out. Of course, its true. But has that ever been said by someone who would then take the opportunity to turn April 20th or August 3rd into a romantic night just because? Or who would pick up flowers on the way home from work cuz they just felt like it? No, because those people don't have a problem with also doing that on Feb 14th. The people who do say it are those that would rather not ever put forth the effort to show their love that they care. So ok, if you are going to eschew Valentines day because its what everyone else is doing (you rebel! whatever) then you better pick another night and make it special, just because.

3. It makes single people feel bad. Totally am a perpetrator of using this hateful excuse. And yeah, sometimes when it seems like everyone but you has a lover, you are the only one alone on Feb 14th trying to convince yourself you don't need a man to be happy. But most days dont you feel like that? And you have friends, maybe youre not in love with them but you do love them, so go celebrate that. Buy each other little presents, share a little candy, go out to dinner. Or stay in, get things done, watch some movies on TV, avoid all those shmoopy happy couples. Or do what I did, bring your boss cupcakes. And realize that when you do meet someone and you see the other side, its not about you and your singleness vs. others and their coupleness. Its about being around the people you love.

4. Theres too much pressure. Is there though? Ok so guys, youre usually the ones complaining about the pressure, but this can go for girls too. She wants you to remember her birthday, your anniversary. Does every jewelry, candy, and card company join forces to put big red, heartshaped commercials in your face and remind you to buy her a present? No. But on valentines day, they do. So you can't forget- turn on a TV, drive past a billboard... and now you know. Valentines day is coming. So buy a card and a teddy bear and get it right. The pressure comes when its all up to you to remember when her birthday is and buy her a big present that says "I'm happy you're alive" not when the whole world conspires to remind you to buy a box of chocolate and for $8 youre getting all the brownie points. Complain about something thats actually a problem.

Commercial society tries to tell us we should be all into the lovebug, so alternative, I'm too cool society decides that we should buck tradition and pretend that its just another day. That we dont need the pressure and the expense and the forced night of romance. And being a rebel is just so cool, in a 1990's sort of way. But why not? Why not take advantage of the night and let love in? I tried to tell myself it was a fake holiday, but I really think its nice. Make a night special. Why not that night? Go on, you tell me. Give me a good reason to skip this ritual night of happy coupling and I'll let you win.