Only Valentines Can Prevent Forest Fires

I don’t subscribe to the Valentine’s Day pestilence. The gifts, the flowers, the jewelry. It really is a bit much considering that it’s focused to one day of the year. For people in mundane or stagnant relationships, it’s pretty much the only twenty-four hours dedicated to supporting the relationship romantically; a chance to remember what it was like before we got used to each other. Before making each other happy was placed on the back burner of daily chores.

I understand the thrill of the holiday, though. Especially when I was in a relationship, February 14th gave way for us to let our gooey, lovey-dovey slime ooze all over one another. I’d plan something special and she could tell her friends about the next day. The better the gift meant the better I was compared to her friend’s lovers. Is it no wonder Valentine’s Day and the Westminster Dog Show are within days of each other?

Perhaps I’ll always be somewhat unimpressed with the Valentine’s Day spectacle, even as man who has loved and lost more times than he can count.

I have little need for a specific day to remind me to treat those I hold special in my life with kindness. It’s the same shit with Christmas; the movies about a Scrooge-esque character treating an impoverished person badly, and the woman saying, “Be nice, it’s Christmas”. Have we become so complacent about our poor treatment of each other that the expectation for good behavior has been relegated to holidays? It’s Christmas? How about, “Be nice, It’s Tuesday”?

Same goes for today. Don’t just gift or blow your special somebody because today is Valentines day. Actually, yes, do it today. But then don’t wait another 365 days to do it again. Do it monthly or biweekly, however often you feel your partner deserves. Doing something special for another is an expression of our love, kindness and gratitude. If it only occurs to you to do it once a year, perhaps your loved one deserves somebody who will care, and express it, more often.

On that note, have a smashing Valentine’s Day. Spend some money on cavities, blood diamonds and slaughtered rain forests. And if you think of it, do it all again next month.