Falling for St Valentine...
IT IS that time in the calendar again when the joints in my fingers usually ache from deleting emails about Valentine’s Day.
This year seems to have been worse than ever with missives coming into my inbox almost on an hourly basis encouraging me to write about everything from ‘how to get February 14-ready’ to top tips on what to wear for that big date night and – God help us – loving gifts for that special pet in your life.
My favourite was a survey which said the recipe for a perfect marriage was six heart-to-hearts, three long walks and two big rows every month.
How these people ever managed to find the time to empty the bins, I’ll never know.
Anyway, you will glean, dear reader, that I have in the past been no fan of Valentine’s Day.
In my book it belonged to teenage girls with raging hormones and a hopeful eye on the spotty lad at the back of the bus.
It’s not for grown-ups. I mean, who wants to be suckered into the Hallmark-fest of glittery cards and balloons anyway?
Who wants to pay a fortune for over-priced flowers from the florist? Or worse, receive overpriced flowers from the local garage? I speak from experience.
And why should we all be forced to get lovey-dovey on one prescribed day of the year? What’s wrong with the other 364?
If I want to sit in silence in a room with no atmosphere, eyeing my other half over a wilted table decoration and lacklustre food – well, I can do that in my own home.
But then I had a word with myself and decided my flinty-hearted attitude came from a place of disappointment – see previous comment on garage flowers – and in this of all years, I should revise my opinion..
The past 18 months have been grim. People have come and gone from many of our lives.
Maybe we do need a set day where we can all put down our phones, turn to the folks we love the most and tell them how special they are.
Because where’s the harm? Where’s the harm in saying “I love you” to the people who should hear it, whether that’s your partner, your mum or your best friend? Or even the dog for that matter? Love comes in many forms, after all.
And you know what else? Why not go out and celebrate dear old St Valentine?
Celebrate the fact that we’re still here, we’ve come through and that what sustained many of us in the darkest of times was love.
I know February 14, 2022, falls on a very non rock and roll Monday night but goodness knows restaurants and bars and cafes need our business – likewise the card shops and the florists, the jewellery shops and perfume stores.
So, against the usual grain, I’m embracing the day.
But if I get garage flowers again, one of those two prescribed almighty rows will be happening for sure.