2.12.2014

On Why I LOVE Valentine's Day


I freakin' LOVE Valentine's Day. Do you? I feel like I'm in the minority--please allow me to plead my case! And when I admit my love for the day of love, the convo is almost always like this:

"My husband and I have never celebrated Valentine's Day," my friend said, proudly smiling.

"Why not?" I asked, knowing exactly what was coming next.

(Say it with me:) "Because it's just a made up Hallmark Holiday. I read that in an email once." she remarked, with a matter-of-fact tone. Note: Don't get me started on the "validity" of those mass emails!

"Actually, that's not true," I told her, before explaining the history of Valentine's Day, which has nothing to do with buying roses or candy.

Here's the next argument I get:

"Oh, well love should be celebrated EVERY DAY, not once a year!"

So true, but first of all, who does this (sure we tell people we love them daily but that's not what I mean here), and secondly take Thanksgiving, for example. Shouldn't we celebrate Thanksgiving every day? We should be thankful every day, right? Or Mother's Day? Mothers should be celebrated every dang day, not just once a year. Insert other holidays that should be celebrated daily here.

"But it's ridiculous to spend money on roses, candy, and cards!"

So then, let's do away with presents at Christmas. They aren't the real reason for the holiday, right? But yet many of us give them. And if you're against spending money, there are always handmade gifts!

Ok, ok, I'm being a little facetious, but you get my point. I too, was against it in high school, where my friends and I joked about "Singles' Awareness Day." But I secretly was sad that I never got any of those Mylar balloons you could purchase from the Anchor Club, that were delivered in Homeroom. Every year, I waited in anticipation to hear my name. "None for Gretchen Weiners Elle Sees. Bye!"

But the day after not hearing my name called for the last time, I snapped out it, and chose to not hate the holiday. Valentine's Day, to me, isn't just about romantic love. I see it as a day to celebrate love--all types of love. Like the love for your kids, your pets (like my adorable Morkie Charlie Brown), your friends, your family, just about everyone, but especially the love for yourself. Plus, pink and red make me happy.

Forget romance. Forget candles and having the "perfect" day. It's not about that. On Valentine's Day, the day just radiates with love and positivity to me. I'm happy and smiling like usual, but there's just a little extra something about the day. I just feel it everywhere. So instead of hating Valentine's Day, let's try something different this year, and love a little instead.

But I still want a Mylar balloon. ;)

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PS: I'm back from Disney and am slowly wading through emails and visiting blogs, but electricity has been inconsistent, thanks to the Atlanta Ice Storm. Please be patient with me as I get caught up. Thank you.

51 comments:

  1. I have actually never had a boyfriend on Valentine's Day so it is not my favorite - maybe if I did I would feel differently!

    xx Kelly
    Sparkles and Shoes

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  2. I have to be honest...Valentine's Day is not my favorite holiday! With social media now, it seems less and less about love and more about people showing off the gift they got.

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    Oakleigh Rose Giveaway!

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  3. bahahahaha none for Gretchen Weiners indeed. I'm not much for Valentine's Day myself. Love is an uncomfortable emotion for me in general. I find it easier to love things than people. I'll just give my ferrets hugs.

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  4. Hahaha who DOESN'T want a mylar balloon?! Haha! I don't really have an opinion about Valentine's. I don't love or hate it. But I agree with you...those people that say "love should be celebrated every day!" Well DUHhHHhhHHH....but isn't it nice to REALLY celebrate on one particular day? Isn't amazing that for one whole day, everyone in the world stops and tells someone they love them. THAT'S special.

    xo Denise
    lovelybohemian.blogspot.com

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  5. i LOVE valentine's day, AND i'm single. everything you have pointed out is exactly why i love it. i don't understand why people don't love it. it's a holiday. come on, if you hate holidays that's just un-american. lol Anyway, i always like to get a little something for my family members and then i bring sweet treats to all my co-workers. this year i'm doing individual goodie bags so I'm taking off early tomorrow so i can bake all of them fresh for friday. I'm excited and looking forward to it. Great post, Elle!

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  6. Despite my fiance being 5,000 miles away, I love Valentine's Day too!!! We make the most of it :)

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  7. this is cute. and i wasnt going to do anything with h for valentines but youre right! we SHOULD celebrate! xo

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  8. I love that you posted this. I see so much hate out there for Valentine's Day and it makes me sad! It's a day that is all about LOVE! Loving yourself, your animals, family, friends are what is important! I'll be right there with you loving Valentine's Day! Hope you had a fabulous trip!

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  9. Even though I'm not big into celebrating VD as well, I do agree with you....it's a day to celebrate love:) And any excuse to eat chocolate....well, for me, anyway.....hehe

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  10. I love this post and you are so right, It's about Love, you don't have to have a man to be able to love, right?! LOL None for Gretchen Weiners, I felt the same way when I was in school, we could buy/give carnations I never got one of those either.

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  11. Thats so true Elle, its a day to celebrate every kind of love their is, even some peoples affairs with chocolate & ice cream, haha.

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  12. This is a great post! I am so tired of hearing people say they hate Valentine's. Your argument is spot on. You don't have to be in a relationship to have love in your life… and there's nothing wrong with celebrating love. :-)

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  13. I love this post! I've always loved Valentines Day-- even when I was single, I think it's such a fun day!

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  14. I not a big fan of v-day. I love everyone year around and let them know it.

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  15. This is the BEST Valentines Day post ever! Amen sista. I love Valentines Day!

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  16. I love the mean girls reference in this post. Totally made my day! And your so right- you could really say those things about every holiday and that we should be celebrating those things everyday! So there's nothing wrong with celebrating valentines day!

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  17. this is my first year having a bf on VDay but Ive always loved it! I love love!

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  18. Great case for Valentine's Day! I was always more annoyed with people who complained about it than people who celebrated it, even when I was single. Why give up a day to be happy? One Valentine's Day during college, I brought Double-Stuff Oreos to a class and passed them out to anyone who would eat one. A lot of people looked at me strangely like I was a creepy old man with a van, but the people who took the Oreos seemed to enjoy them. I did!

    thewalkerfiresidechats.blogspot.com

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  19. Love this Elle, we should celebrate love, valentines can mean celebrating love with your family too, no one should feel lonely on Valentines day, everyone deserves a mylar balloon!!


    vivianstonexo.blogspot.com

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  20. I am going to spend it showing my love to all my friends and family, and my puppy too. If they dislike it for the flowers and candy they can totally celebrate it just by being with the one they love and saying the words.

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  21. U couldn't have said it any better Elle :) Valentine's Day is another special day to celebrate & show our love even more to everyone that we love~ It's not just for couples & it's not for spending tons of $ on gifts & outings!
    www.speakstyleandrock.com

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  22. I love your attitude!!!! Everyone should read this! I like the idea of celebrating V-Day for love in general, not just mushy romantic love.

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  23. I love that you love it so much. I am the complete opposite, though :( I am posting all about why I don't like it on Friday.

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  24. Can't believe the storms you guys are getting right now, stay warm! Love your arguments in support of the holiday of love haha I always wanted one of those special deliveries in class, too, so us friends would send em to each other sometimes. I hope you have a great VDay and I'm following your blog ♥

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  25. I've always enjoyed V-Day, but I never celebrated it in the traditional way. I used to love celebrating with my friends. Beau and I celebrated our first V-Day over skype and our second V-Day driving home to celebrate my brother's 21st birthday on the 15th. We don't really have any plans for this weekend. We'll probably end up spending Friday night watching Star Trek and eating pizza. :)

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  26. I love Valentine's Day too. A lot of people think it's silly, but I agree with you: it shows how much love there is in the world. I love when I'm on the subway and I see these macho men with flowers and heart balloons and whatnot. It's just the sweetest.

    And I love getting gifts for my girlfriends and mom too. Just a nice reminder to friends and family how much they mean to you :)

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  27. I like any day that's an excuse to eat more chocolate, but I wish there wasn't so much pressure about having a "perfect" Valentine's Day.

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  28. I love Valentines day! Honestly its just a happy day and plus it's centered around all things pink so I love that ;-)

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  29. I'm with you -- it's a great holiday. I hope you get your balloon!

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  30. I'm not a fan. I think it's fun for kids and whatnot but I guess I'm not enough of a romantic to get into it anymore.

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  31. My great grandfather's name was Valentine (They called him "Tine" so I'm actually named after him (Tina). :) I love that you noted it's a great holiday to love ourselves, too! This is something too many women just don't do--sadly. T.

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  32. I too am on the 'love it' side. I find it fun and happy. I wore a fluffy pink scarf with my coat while out and about today, in honour of it being Valentine Week, and got lots of nice smiles from strangers. I'll take any reason for good cheer!

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  33. A very well written post, Elle, I love it. And yes, 100% agree with you on it's a day to celebrate love!

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  34. I love your grumpy cat valentine :)

    I never got those Mylar balloons either but still like Valentines Day.

    I feel your pain with the ice storm. I live in the ATL and thank goodness have not lost power or heat due to the storm

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  35. elle, you are on point! i hear those same things. excellent response girl. i use to loathe it, because i didn't have anybody. now i could care less. i make my own valentine's day happy. sure i wish i had somebody, but sometimes you just have to make the best of a situation. if it's meant, God will provide someone for me.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  36. Right on! I've never been big on Vday as far as gifts goes, but I love celebrating it as an extra bonus and reminder to appreciate your loved ones...not just your significant other, but also your bffs and family. I love making small DIY gifts to send them - somethings personal, sweet, and sentimental.
    Linh
    http://abeautifulrawr.com

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  37. Aw, I hope you get that mylar balloon one day, Elle :) But I admire your positive attitude - I'm all for any holiday that comes with chocolates, no matter what the occasion!
    xox,
    Cee

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  38. First, be safe!
    Second, I love this post! Love deserves a special day.
    Have a Happy Valentine's Day!

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  39. You tell them Elle!!!! I LOVE ANYTHING that has to do with LOVE!!!!!

    Xoxo
    Lynn

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  40. This was wonderful! I hate hearing people complain about Valentine's Day just being a made-up holiday and an excuse to buy candy and greeting cards — since that's what people do at other holidays, too. I admit that I didn't like Valentine's Day in high school, either, and always wanted someone to send me balloons or flowers, but even now that I'm married and do have someone to celebrate it with, it's more about showing love to everyone, like you said. Great post!

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  41. I love - love, so any day celebrating that is good with me. I just think some people miss the point of it all sometimes, of every holiday really...they just see presents and that's it. They forget what they stand for...so I can understand some getting tired of that and not wanting to celebrate, but really we should fight to keep what it's all about alive, so we can enjoy it on the day & every day after. I hope you have a wonderful one doll xx

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  42. Gretchen LOL, I love this post boo it's awesome!!
    Xxx

    Carolina

    www.the-world-c.blogspot.com

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  43. You are so right Elle. Why love or hate the holiday and why not just appreciate love in all its forms!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  44. I totally agree with you I love Valentines Day. And you don't need to have a man in your life to appreciate this day.
    xoxo
    Beautetude

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  45. I loved reading this post! You are so right Elle! I just posted something on this idea too :)


    Love,
    FASHIONHYPNOTISED

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  46. I love this! We actually created a little tradition around Valentine's week instead of just the day of.... helps take the pressure that just naturally comes out on the day of :)

    Have a happy Valentine's Day :) Good luck in the snow!

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  47. I also like Valentine's Day. Mainly because it has to do with CHOCOLATE! I don't get people who don't like it. Chocolate, people!

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  48. I can totally relate about the Mylar balloon, dang thought I was the only one! hehe But yeah I have to admit Valentine's isn't my favorite holiday but I don't hate the holiday. But I have to admit your take on it is really great and totally get the whole celebrate love. I will try to enjoy the day tomorrow, I will give my doggy Mocha lots of hugs! :)

    Nina
    http://curvymod.blogspot.com/

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  49. Never looked at it this way. I just enjoyed the day because of the candy. Your thinking is much better.

    http://www.somethingmonumental.com/

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  50. I agree with everything you said. Husband and I don't exchange gifts, but every year celebrate in some little way. This time we cooked together a nice dinner, he picked some wine and some chocolate, and we enjoyed each other company until it was time for hime to go to work (he was working the night shift...). And I can't wait to celebrate Valentine's day with our little girl next year!

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