our two issues with valentine’s day (and why we don’t celebrate)

it’s about intention.

there are so many better ways and more consistent ways to approach the exact same concept. I don’t think we’re radical for feeling that it’s really just a weird consumer heavy hallmark nonsensical holiday. but perhaps we are for the issues we have with it. issue one: it’s capitalizing on something that’s very genuine and very dear. love is not a commodity, nor is loneliness. it can’t and shouldn’t be solved, it’s a practice. It’s on going. It’s a practice, one that I fear doesn’t work when you work on it one day out of the year. love, of any kind, needs attention. a day out of 365 isn’t attention. it’s neglect. issue two: I love love. I’m that classic sad boi who grew up with 80s rom-coms and pop music, wondering “where’s my French girl to play sax for?” so for a long time, I went all out. but now, I think Valentine’s Day is a cop out. It doesn’t feel genuine. If you feel a certain way about someone, tell them or don’t. But lead with intention. Don’t let fear motivate one of the most beautiful feelings in the world. Buy her flowers on a Monday. Dress up for no reason, when you feel like. Buy weird chocolates because you want them. we don’t celebrate because we feel as though we’re practicing love every night. every time we’re together. that may sound preachy, but that’s the reality. I’m trying to fulfill her needs whenever I can, as her mine. of course, Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to get dressed up with flowers & chocolate, go out to dinner somewhere nice, and elaborate on your love, but that’s just it. you shouldn’t need an excuse. you should be celebrating your love every day, intimate, platonic, self, whatever. all we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us, you know, Gandalf? so decide. all and all, perhaps I’m lucky that I’m with someone who’s shares and agrees with my values, or maybe I’m a love hater. I don’t know but what I do know is tonight, there will be love, and I will be eating dinner and going to bed early with my lady, just like any other day. happy and in love.