Monday, February 1, 2010

It's February 1: Admit it, you're thinking about Valentine's Day

No matter what your current status is, I know you've already thought about what you'll be doing on February 14. Between the candy aisle at the grocery store and the Valentine's Day movie preview that's getting played out on TV (I wanna see it!), it's kind of hard not to. Every year up until the last four, I was single on this holiday of love—more or less. (The most my college "boyfriends" did for me was send awkward E-cards and buy me shots of Jager. So romantical, right?)

I don't know why, but I usually don't make a huge fuss about Valentine's Day. (I guess I'm just too cool and perfect and independent and...right..). When I was single, I'd go out with my girlfriends for dinner and vino—lots of vino, and now that I have a bf, it's more of the same without the male bashing. When I was unattached, I never felt depressed or that I was on a fast track to Loserville because I didn't have a man, but I did dream about what it would be like to one day have someone special to share the day with. 

And now I know. It's nice. It feels good. Sometimes it's just right, and other times it falls a bit short. One year he'll send flowers, the next it's chocolate covered strawberries. Sometimes he takes time to write an extra-special message, other times he forgets to even buy the card. Dinner. Sneaking kisses. Going to a double-feature at the movies. Red lingerie. Damnit, I DO really like Valentine's Day!

Tell me: Have you thought about Valentine's Day yet? Do you know what your plans will be? 

19 comments:

  1. My boyfriend and I will be on a plane to Costa Rica!

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  2. I know this is hypocritical for me to say -- considering my obsessions with Christmas, Disney, and Kanye West -- but Valentine's Day just feels like a marketing gimmick to me. I would feel cheesy celebrating it. It's not a significant date for us, and it's right in the middle of my least favorite month. I probably sound way too bitter for someone who's had a V-day date for 13 years :-P

    P.S. Which fell short -- the flowers or the chocolate-covered strawberries? Because omg, chocolate-covered strawberries are the only gift I would totally accept!

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  3. Ugh, MLA, so jeals!! Have fun!!

    C'mon, Kara, do you really believe that?! Somehow I believe that you do actually :( I don't think V-day should be as big of a deal as SOME people make it out to be, but what's so wrong with taking a day to show your partner a little extra attention? I know I know, you should do those little thoughtful things ALL the time, but sometimes it's just impossible. The V-day that fell short will be saved for a post next week, and actually, based on your comments above, it will probably make you barf, Ha! And yes, the choc covered strawberries were my FAVORITE!!! Anything sweet wins bonus points, every time. So you and G treat V-day like any other day??

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  4. B, I have a feeling more commenters will have your exact sentiments. Are you making plans anyway? At least it's on a Sunday!

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  5. I will be en route to Jamaica with the BF, so Valentine's day will be a fun one. I think we are going to a free jazz concert at Emory the night before (his idea, impressive right?)
    To be fair, the best Valentine's day I remember was one that should have been craptastic - I had just been dumped by a guy I was crazy about (who dumped me to be with the woman he eventually married, so props to him for doing what was right) so I made dinner for my roommate and a friend, drank a nice bottle of wine, and then went out dancing. I ended up getting a guy's number and thus started my reign of terror as a single woman for my last semester in college. It was pretty great.
    SCS

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  6. I have only had 1 good V-Day in my life:) It's almost like a second NY EVE...blah!

    I hope I'm healed because I plan to run:)

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  7. Jamaica?! I've always wanted to go there! Let me know how it is! Think of me in NYC with the rapidly dropping temps when you're there, ughhh, hate winter! Your V-day after being dumped sounds like a lot of fun—similar to mine as a single lady. Those experiences are very necessary. Sometimes I wish I could have two V-days...one with my bf and one with my girlfriends.

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  9. I'm going to eat a carton of double fudge ice cream alone and cry myself to sleep.

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  10. Valentine's Day is just another day to me. I am not a bitter love hater...in fact I am actually married to the best man on the planet and have been with him for going on 7 years. I just hate there even HAS to be a day about showing someone you care. I would much rather my husband surprise me with roses on some random day than on some day when he is "supposed" to. You know? We typically buy each other cards and call it a day. Unromantic...maybe? But it works for us! :)

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  11. I really do, sorry! I've never been into it. I always feel like I'm being guilt-tripped into celebrating a random date. I always feel like I have to explain WHY we don't buy each others chocolate on a made-up holiday, and reassure people that we're not bitter and loveless.

    I don't want to sound hokey, but G's my bestie, and we really DO do thoughtful things for each other all the time. I'd rather have him do the laundry every week than buy me a diamond heart pendant in February. Actually, I think our mutual apathy towards V-day is kind of romantic in its own way, because we're a united front :) Haha.

    But, I WILL say that it's a good excuse to go out to dinner, and we never turn down an excuse for dinner.

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  12. Going to a wedding...should be fun...I make or buy my own choc. covered strawerries and have some vino too! I like the thought behind it, so it does make me take time out and write a card to Wes, but it's good. MUCH better than the September Sweetest Day...that's a Hallmark Holiday.

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  13. hmm not sure! no one has asked me! =)
    anyways, thanks for the vote of confidence- glad i'm not ONE OF THOSE trainers you hate =D i try not to be! i'm glad your bums are burning! =D

    i'll keep on trucking =D coz you're INSPIRING me!

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  14. Shannon -- when in rome right? be sure to have a stress free trip if you get what im saying.

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  15. PK, that actually sounds like an AWESOME V-Day plan...minus the crying of course.

    So, it's confirmed, Kara and HealthyPassion are MUCH cooler than I am. I feel so high-maintenance compared to you two! I do agree that the little things mean the most (helping with the laundry, offering to cook dinner, etc), but I also look at is as an appreciation day. I don't know why, but for me it makes going out to eat a little more special. Sometimes I need a boost like V-Day to say "Hmm, maybe I should wear the heels and sexy top to dinner instead of the flannel shirt and flat boots." It helps me stay on my "game" I guess :)

    Whoa, have never heard of that holiday Adele! Crazy! Now that is taking it a bit too far. Homemade choc covered strawberries are the best...they're just as good as the real thing, and lots cheaper!

    Trayn, I totally had a "I want to quit moment" today, but we just CAN'T. Glad we can encourage each other :)

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  16. Well K has it covered! I love her every day, not just on V-day. I'm sure she would much rather recieve a back rub when she's had a rough day instead of making it a big deal that is reserved for some rando holiday. We don't exchange presents at all Christmas's or birthdays either. K is OBSESSED with giving gifts at christmas (wrapped to perfection)but with each other it's different. If we want something on a day other than the 25th of December why should we wait until then?

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  17. My excitement for V-day 2010 is apparently abnormal (and likely obnoxious to the majority of readers...), but this is my first Feb 14 with a Valentine! Foster and I will be celebrating in the insanely romantic town of North Canton, Ohio ... While it would be nice to be jetting off to someplace warm (it's just as cold in NE Ohio right now as it is here in NYC), I can't wait to celebrate with my man!!! :)

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  18. Flip, um, I don't know if I DO get what you're saying? Am I the only one?

    Ok, George and Kara, I LOVE the heck out of you guys, but I am going to continue to disagree with your V-Day hate. Yes, I think you should love your partner and do the little things for him/her (back rubs, etc) on random days, but I don't see what the big deal is to have one special day to acknowledge your honey. It doesn't have to be a day that's scripted from a fairy tale, but I think it's nice to do a little something. Is anyone with me on this?!

    Ohh actually, Sara is—phew! Have so much fun!!! Canton, OH=hottt :)

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