Today is February 14, and whether you are married, in a relationship, or single everyone knows what today is. Most Americans have a skewed view of what today must be about. Many believe that you not only have to have a Valentine, but that you also have to worry about getting them a gift! These gifts often include: roses, chocolates, jewelry, cards, clothes, etc. Many people are so wrapped up in "spoiling" their loved one, that they go to any expense to do so. Don't get me wrong, I love gifts just as much as the next person, however, I don't think we should let society force us to think we have to have such items in order to show our love to someone else. Society has already done a great job making women think they must look like a stick to be "sexy", that we have to have the latest high-tech gadgets to be "accepted", that our clothes and looks make us who we are, etc. when in fact none of these things matter at all. What matters is that you are able to use today to reflect back on the days that you have shared with your spouse or loved one. To reminisce on all the joyous moments, and think about how you can try and prevent any moments that were not so great. It's not a day to compare your gifts to what others have received.
As sad as it may be, I used to be one of those people who compared what I got to others. In high school it was easy to compare what I did or didn't get to the other girls receiving valentine's gifts. Since Keven and I didn't go to the same high school, or live in the same state, we were never able to spend Valentine's day together until College. But, back then I would always hope I would have a gorgeous bouquet of flowers waiting for me at home, or that I would have a new shiny piece of jewelry to show off to my girlfriends. It always felt like a competition, like you didn't have a "awesome" boyfriend if he didn't spoil you and empty out his bank account. [Now, I don't know about you, but Keven & I had to work in high school to get things we wanted. So when we bought each other gifts it was because we worked hard for our money, not because we took our mommy with us so she could buy it for us.] This being said, when you barely bring in $300 a month, it just didn't make sense to drop $50 on the cliche red roses, fancy chocolates, or giant teddy bear. What I'm trying to get at, is don't let people influence you on what you think you should receive on Valentine's day, appreciate whatever it is that you received. Keven is a great writer, and in high school would s p o i l me with poems and songs. However, I never fully appreciated his writings because it wasn't something I could rub in someone else's face. How pathetic is that? Thankfully, I can still pull out one of those poems, read it, and the emotions I felt when I first read it flood over me all over again.
Now let me take a moment to brag on my man. Keven woke up at 8:30 AM (which is special in itself, because we don't have class till 11, and usually wake up at 10), cleaned part of the kitchen, and proceeded to surprise me with a Valentine's breakfast with three yellow roses (I don't care for the red ones, too cliche). This breakfast was so sweet because he made one of my favorite breakfast foods, pancakes! Not only did he make pancakes, he shaped the batter to look like a heart!! How cool is that? I was stoked to eat them, and the yummy (turkey) bacon on the side! He is also planning on a special evening, which includes cooking me some sort of yummy dinner, and then we may go see a movie, or get a redbox.
Best Valentine's Day ever!
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