Hi!
Below you’ll find a fun re-blog! from last year’s
Valentine’s-themed-window-of-blogging-opportunity.
Please enjoy! And if you are a silly goose who pronounces Valentine’s Day with an “m” substituted for the “n”, you can just move along. 
From as far back as my memory allows, Valentine’s Day has consistently borne a great deal of significance to me.
In elementary school, I relished the activity of constructing a personalized “mailbox” that would allow classmates to “send” me cards and candy.
Then there was the shopping trip with my mother to select the box of cards that I would be sending out. I have always had trouble making decisions, especially when presented with many choices. This particular errand was a true testament to her patience as I painstakingly deliberated over the selections. In my childish estimation, my card selection was the utmost important decision I would make in all of February, if not the entire school year!
Which design??
Did I want The Little Mermaid or Garfield?
Wait, they have ones with yellow lab puppies! And New kids on the Block!! er… NKOTB! (yeah, cooler to say it that way!)
What did the cards say?
Did at the least one of the cards in the box communicate the precise sentiment to send (fill-in-the-blank) with whom I was currently “in love”??
In middle school, there were school fundraising efforts via candy-grams and roses; providing the opportunity to send a gift to our crush, anonymously if we so chose.
![candy-gram-mongo[1]](/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/candy-gram-mongo1.gif)
(Source)
The existence of Candy-gram Commerce held the potential for either euphoric bliss or extreme humiliation.
The drama was three-fold:
Would my crush send me one? Does he like me back?
Would (fill-in-the blank “uncool person”) send me one?
Would no one!?! send me one?
In high school, I had a steady boyfriend, so the holiday was celebrated with the typical, tacky stuffed animals and flowers. Cloyingly sweet cards were exchanged, mutually declaring our never-ending love and commitment.
In undergraduate school, I worked at a privately owned Hallmark Gift Card shop. Valentine’s Day was nearly the largest grossing day of the year, second only to Mother’s Day. It meant big money for the store and that no one, absolutely no one, was getting any time off that week.
But it was fun and exciting being so busy in the store. I worked with a great group of girls who became good friends; we were a close-knit group. ♥Miss you M, K, J(N), A, B, E, L.♥
In graduate school, I was affianced to my now ex-husband. During that period, I remember planning extremely elaborate celebrations. Trying to outdo one another, our activities and gifts included scavenger hunts with clues, personalized coupon books and other special treats unique to our relationship.
In more recent eating disordered years, I looked forward to the holiday strictly for it’s “day-after sale” potential; it was an opportunity to acquire binge food (candy) cheaply.
This year, I am not celebrating the holiday in any manner. It’s just another day to me and I am completely at peace with that.
However, during my last shopping trip, I did have the strongest of desires to buy a box of these cards:
She’s a national treasure.
What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?
Do you love, hate or feel indifferent towards the holiday?
Bracelet Images: Etsy.com
We don’t really celebrate. We get cards for one another. Sometimes my husband sends me flowers but he’s usually just sent me some as out anniversary is tomorrow. Our sons birthday is the 13th so we are more focused on celebrating that. I think it’s a silly holiday- we show our love for one another in the day to day- one big day of over the top celebrations feels inauthentic to me. We have a nice dinner planned out for just the two of us on Friday night at one of our favorite restaurants- to celebrate our 10th anniversary- it’s annoying being married near Valentine’s Day as our dining plans have to be made months in advance due to people celebrating Valentine’s Day! I hope you enjoy your day of not celebrating. We do enjoy sending valentines to our loved ones and people we know may not get any/older people etc. it never hurts to take the time to handwritten some cards or have the kids make cards to express love to people- obviously non romantic love- but more love is never a bad thing and Mail is always fun to get!
Hey Melissa,
Happy Anniversary! 10 years is a big deal; I hope you guys have a nice time at your dinner. I agree-the build up to the “holiday” is anti-climatic and very “put-on”.
I can especially understand your family focusing on the legitimate reasons to celebrate in the week that surrounds V-day: your son’s birthday and, of course, your anniversary.
And yes, snail mail is THE BEST!!