The Day After

A friend called me today and lamented that no-one took her out or called her yesterday. Aged 34 years old, she feels really down about this.  After speaking with her, I decided to share my thoughts on Valentine's Day:

When I was an undergraduate, I used to dread Valentine's day - because I felt I was under soo much peer pressure for the day to live up to all the hype.

As the success of the day largely depended on the actions of someone else (boyfriend/ admirer); it is safe to say that then, my Valentine's Day experience was largely dependent on the extent to which my admirer/ partner was expressive, loved-up, financially stable and even available!

When I had a laid-back boyfriend - who was not very expressive - the day was a  disaster! However, when I got a boyfriend who was very expressive and lovey-dovey, the day became a special one for me.

Now, I am much older, I do appreciate the day but I do feel it can be a bit overblown. That is why I refuse to go out to a restaurant on that day. On most festive days, I find restaurants a bit too impersonal - with too many diners, too much noise, mass-produced food and decor that tries too hard to be 'romantic' or 'festive'. I often come away feeling like I have been on a conveyor belt. Indeed, the situation is not often helped by the pensive faces and superficial smiles worn by the harrassed waiters!!

Honestly, I rather spend the day at home or in a hotel room - with the one I love, a bottle of good wine, good music in the background, fantastic food etc etc

Yes, yesterday, some of us felt loved, while some of us did not! On the other hand, some of us died yesterday and some of us - like you - survived!


Let everyday be your Valentine day.....LOVE YOURSELF EVERYDAY!