Valentine's Day
I should love Valentine's Day. I love getting (and giving) gifts. I consume chocolate like its oxygen. I love being doted on and complimented...
But I totally hate it.
I can't pinpoint the exact reason why Valentine's Day makes me shudder. It could be those unrealistic romantic movies they play nonstop. Seriously they're ridiculous. Who the hell is that sappy in real life? Or forgiving. Or can make it to the other side of town in three minutes during rush hour to stop an airplane from departing. I met my husband in a bar, like most people.
Hmm... it could also be how hyped up it is. (The insanely overpriced flowers!) Or how you have to make dinner reservations far in advance and eat a prix fixe menu. Like wtf is that.
Or maybe I hate how it's prejudice against single people. They should totally protest.
But in truth, my Valentine's Day hatred probably stems from a traumatic event that occurred when I was nine years old.
Back when I was in in fourth grade, I looked forward to Valentine's Day. I remember picking out the perfect Valentine's Day cards for each of my classmates and handing them out. It was such a great day, looking through all the cards my friends had chosen especially for me.
But sadly, the day took a dark turn at dismissal.
Waiting in the wings of the stairwell was my red-headed jerk of a classmate, Jerry Brusinelli. As I was walking out, he called to me, spun my back against the wall and kissed me. On the mouth. In front of the loudest boy in the class, who walked onto the playground and announced it to everyone. (Yeah, thanks, Michael.) So needless to say, I ran to my mother sobbing hysterically. But she pretty much just added insult to injury since she thought it was soooo funny.
::Shudder::
Yeah...
Unfortunately, you cannot just ignore Valentine's Day. Especially when you have a boyfriend/husband/child. But interestingly, most of my adult Valentine's Days I've forgotten. Except three.
The first one is the romantic one. Bryan picked me up at my home, gave me a single red rose, and took me to the beach where we watched the waves rolling with the snow. It was nice, but definitely wasn't me.
The second one is the traditional Valentine's Day. The first year my husband and I were dating, he sent me flowers at work, gave me candy and a card, and took me to a fancy restaurant for dinner. Also nice. Still not for me.
The third Valentine's Day I remember was the perfect one. Interestingly it was my only adult V-day as a single lady. I spent the day doing whatever I wanted to do. I really can't remember what I did that day, but I know that I ended it meeting my best friend at our favorite diner for hot tea and cheese fries. And I remember how I felt - ecstatic. And her being surprised that I had had such a great day. I think she was expecting me to be a depressed crying mess, but there I was - excited, smiling, and content.
This year has been a little different though. I actually became quite excited about it because I volunteered to co-host Arianna's preschool Vday party. I made these completely awesome mailboxes for the event, that the children can decorate and then deliver their Valentine's too. I also made some fabulous party favors. Plus I had found Frozen valentine's for Arianna to give out to her classmates, so that was super fantastic. Unfortunately, school was cancelled today due to this nor-easter we're having. So hopefully, they will reschedule the party for another day.
I even got gifts for Arianna and Marc. I'm pretty sure that Marc got me a much better gift than I got him though. (But it's cool, right?)
But what I'm really excited about is the plan I made for Valentine's Day. We are going to a V-day party in which we get to dress up. Like princesses. And our besties are coming.
Oh did you think I meant plans with Marc? We don't have any! But it doesn't matter. Because at the heart of it, Valentine's Day is about love. And what I love is making my little girl happy and cuddling with my husband on the sofa watching a movie. Maybe I can finally stop hating Valentine's Day.
But I totally hate it.
I can't pinpoint the exact reason why Valentine's Day makes me shudder. It could be those unrealistic romantic movies they play nonstop. Seriously they're ridiculous. Who the hell is that sappy in real life? Or forgiving. Or can make it to the other side of town in three minutes during rush hour to stop an airplane from departing. I met my husband in a bar, like most people.
Hmm... it could also be how hyped up it is. (The insanely overpriced flowers!) Or how you have to make dinner reservations far in advance and eat a prix fixe menu. Like wtf is that.
Or maybe I hate how it's prejudice against single people. They should totally protest.
But in truth, my Valentine's Day hatred probably stems from a traumatic event that occurred when I was nine years old.
Back when I was in in fourth grade, I looked forward to Valentine's Day. I remember picking out the perfect Valentine's Day cards for each of my classmates and handing them out. It was such a great day, looking through all the cards my friends had chosen especially for me.
But sadly, the day took a dark turn at dismissal.
Waiting in the wings of the stairwell was my red-headed jerk of a classmate, Jerry Brusinelli. As I was walking out, he called to me, spun my back against the wall and kissed me. On the mouth. In front of the loudest boy in the class, who walked onto the playground and announced it to everyone. (Yeah, thanks, Michael.) So needless to say, I ran to my mother sobbing hysterically. But she pretty much just added insult to injury since she thought it was soooo funny.
::Shudder::
Yeah...
Unfortunately, you cannot just ignore Valentine's Day. Especially when you have a boyfriend/husband/child. But interestingly, most of my adult Valentine's Days I've forgotten. Except three.
The first one is the romantic one. Bryan picked me up at my home, gave me a single red rose, and took me to the beach where we watched the waves rolling with the snow. It was nice, but definitely wasn't me.
The second one is the traditional Valentine's Day. The first year my husband and I were dating, he sent me flowers at work, gave me candy and a card, and took me to a fancy restaurant for dinner. Also nice. Still not for me.
The third Valentine's Day I remember was the perfect one. Interestingly it was my only adult V-day as a single lady. I spent the day doing whatever I wanted to do. I really can't remember what I did that day, but I know that I ended it meeting my best friend at our favorite diner for hot tea and cheese fries. And I remember how I felt - ecstatic. And her being surprised that I had had such a great day. I think she was expecting me to be a depressed crying mess, but there I was - excited, smiling, and content.
This year has been a little different though. I actually became quite excited about it because I volunteered to co-host Arianna's preschool Vday party. I made these completely awesome mailboxes for the event, that the children can decorate and then deliver their Valentine's too. I also made some fabulous party favors. Plus I had found Frozen valentine's for Arianna to give out to her classmates, so that was super fantastic. Unfortunately, school was cancelled today due to this nor-easter we're having. So hopefully, they will reschedule the party for another day.
I even got gifts for Arianna and Marc. I'm pretty sure that Marc got me a much better gift than I got him though. (But it's cool, right?)
But what I'm really excited about is the plan I made for Valentine's Day. We are going to a V-day party in which we get to dress up. Like princesses. And our besties are coming.
Oh did you think I meant plans with Marc? We don't have any! But it doesn't matter. Because at the heart of it, Valentine's Day is about love. And what I love is making my little girl happy and cuddling with my husband on the sofa watching a movie. Maybe I can finally stop hating Valentine's Day.
I remember that incident with Jerry. You were so embarrassed! I was embarrassed for you when Michael yelled it out loud at recess. That was the year of Miss Yauch right? I think I spelled it right. I remember she had that idea with the mailboxes too. I loved it because you got to see who put a card in your mailbox. In essence, who "loved" you that holiday. I didn't give one to that girl Elisha. I didn't like her. She tried to put paint in my eyes.
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job on those gifts for the kids! I can't wait to do stuff like that with JaynahRose. Best Valentine's Day memory? Had to be when I was a sophomore in college and my best friend Heather and I didn't have Valentine's or fancy dates so we got cupcakes, brownies (the good stuff) and watched and danced to Footloose. Oh to be young again. Tomorrow, however I'll be spending the first of many awesome Valentine's days with Jason and our little girl. I can't wait :)
Happy Valentine's to you Arianna and Marc!