It's just another day
The world is full of romantics. Some people bring romance every day. Others, like Monday-morning quarterbacks, only think of romance on Valentine's Day.
I may be sticking my neck out here, but I have a confession to make: I hate Valentine's Day. That's not to say I don't appreciate a little romance. I do. I just think it should be spread throughout the year — not lumped into one day in the coldest month of the year.
My belief is that Valentine's Day was created by some smart retailer to help get through the mid-winter slump after Christmas and before spring. Florists, jewelers, candy makers, and Hallmark have cornered the market on this holiday.
Lucky for them, most people don't share my views. My family doesn't. They think I'm just plain stubborn about the holiday. They're right. I have my opinions and I'm sticking to them.
When the girls were small, I tried to keep my thoughts to myself. I didn't want them to grow up cynical about love and all that, so we did the whole valentine thing — decorated Kleenex boxes, candy, and valentine cards. And I accepted the construction-paper hearts and sticky heart-shaped candy with all the gratitude of an Oscar-winning actor.
Somewhere along the way I lost the power (maybe I never had it) to persuade, convince, and cajole my girls into thinking Valentine's Day is not important.
They've both been swept into the sea of women who wait, almost in a panic, to see whether they'll be remembered by that "special someone" on Valentine's Day. These "special someones" have been reminded and downright threatened to remember Valentine's Day.
God help them if they don't. God help me if they don't. I'm the one who will console the bereft daughter who doesn't get flowers, candy, or whatever. I will cry along with them and try to convince them once again that "boys are not worth the trouble" and Valentine's Day is "just another day."
They'll nod their heads and agree with me and silently plot to leave better hints and bigger threats for next Valentine's Day.
— DONNA BERNHARDT
