Simple Romance

With every passing year, it is ever more apparent the commercialization of holidays. Valentines day has become more about the presents we receive than the thoughtfulness we put into it. The meaning at times seems to get lost in the rush to get the "perfect gift". It happens to us all from one holiday to the next. This holiday however places such emphasis on purchasing extravagant gifts to show how much you love a person. When if you think about it how much you have isn't a particularly good indicator of how much you care or love another person.

I recall the simple pleasures of the day, especially as a young child in elementary school. Eagerly anticipating my box, or envelope in which i decorated for the occasion to be filled. Not with fancy jewelry, gift cards, or anything extravagant. Perhaps it was the satisfaction of giving and receiving that made it so special. I recall that anybody who was anybody purchased cards that they would give to almost everybody in the classroom. It was fun to select a cartoon, or a funny message to send to a friend or that girl you thought was cute and had no idea why. Valentines day was not about the quantity at all, it was about quality. Some holidays discussions between children usually are about quantity, "how much did you get?" And it just sucks the fun out of the holiday in my opinion. As a child however it was a great feeling of anxiety and not the kind you have waiting for the dentist, the butterflies in your stomach good kind of anxiety or nervousness. We all had to be brave and walk up to each other and wish them a "happy Valentines Day!" It was not forced we all got our friends a card because, it was fun and part of tradition. If you were part of the lucky few you did receive candy from your good friends.