I am finally enlightened.

All these years, I have celebrated Valentine’s Day feeling like a fraud because there’s this part of me rebelling against the idea of having to set aside a special day to love someone.

Some years, I’m like, yeah okay, let’s go to McDonald’s and then let’s go home and forget about it.

But now, I have broken through the cynicism and finally understood.

Valentine’s Day is like any other “special” day. Birthdays, anniversaries, Teachers’ Day, International Women’s Day, World Turtle Day. In the sense that there is a reason and purpose for each designated day.

Although there is merit in the school of thought that goes, “We do not celebrate Valentine’s Day because we believe one should be loving every day of the year, and not just one day in a year,” the theory is not entirely sound.

Yes, one should love every day of the year, but that doesn’t mean one can’t also specifically celebrate love on a particular day. Valentine’s Day reminds us to be appreciative of our loved ones and that’s always good.

At the very least, it’s an excuse to eat, drink and be merry. And any excuse to eat, drink and be merry is a good excuse.

But I do not support commercialism on Valentine’s Day.

Boycott overpriced roses! Boycott overpriced restaurants! Boycott retailers who try to teach us how to celebrate when it’s actually they who are celebrating the sudden incoming cashflow!

The one-day price inflation is ridiculous. Retailers are smart to take advantage of the fact that many men are willing to pay the moon and the stars to impress some lady. But I’m not out to impress anyone and no one is out to impress me, so us plebeians will just drive to the nearest McDonald’s for some very unhealthy but very cheap indulgence.

Nobody said you have to celebrate with roses and fancy restaurants.

And I will celebrate with little Scruffy tonight by giving him all the belly rubs he can tolerate. He is clean and fluffy now because I gave him a bath last night, on the assumption that clean dogs are easier to love.

In fact, clean anything is easier to love, so remember to shower regularly.

And now, let me share with you a homemade digital “card” I received from someone who wants only to be known as “secret admirer”.

Thank you! Extremely sweet of you!

I hope everyone has a nice Valentine’s Day, too, and don’t forget to tell your loved ones that you love them!

Categories: Regular Blogs

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