Heart-Shaped Box

Have you gotten a rose from your valentine today? Did it come with its accompanying box of chocolates and greeting card with heartfelt wishes and declarations of undying love? Really. Well, good for you. No, really. If you're happy with it then I say, go forth, love, and ignore the following.

It's been said many times before, on each February 14th. But. Do you need a day to express your love? If you truly loved someone, do you need to wait for that day to make your special plans? Inversely, if you truly loved someone, would you really let some commercial "holiday" goad you into buying a box of chocolates and a bouquet of roses on your way back from work? And do you need to give your loved one a Hallmark greeting card? Really? Are you on such an impersonal level with them that you could resort to giving them a greeting card signed "With Love"?

I say, if you must celebrate this day, then tell your loved one what you want and feel by looking at them in the eyes. Just spend some time with them, I think that says more than any purchased goods. Honor your family, cherish your friends, tell them you appreciate them. Make new friends, mend disputes, reconnect with lost acquaintances. And above all, be true, and realize that perhaps you don't need this particular day to prompt you to do all this.

Happy Valentine's Day.