Love Me Not.........

I remember running into Target right after Christmas and seeing a sea of red chocolate hearts and cupids clinging to the first few aisles near the entrance of the store. I rolled my eyes and sucked my teeth as I walked by the teddy bears hanging off the shelves.  Valentine’s Day is one of the most celebrated holidays during the year. For me it’s just a regular day. I haven’t celebrated in over 15 years.

As a kid I remember Valentine’s day being about love and spending time with those you love. I remember cutting out hearts with construction paper and opening mini heart shaped boxes filled with chocolate and passing out cards with Snoopy on them to your best buds in school. I can honestly say that times have changed, and this holiday has become all about buying gifts.

Consumerism has brainwashed individuals and ruined the genuine love surrounding the day. These days people equate gifts with love and feel if they didn’t get a gift they are not loved. Its perfectly fine if you express love by giving gifts, but most people take that gesture to the extreme. The pressure from society on couples and singles has affected relationships and even promoted unhealthy ones.

Target Stores

Years ago, I remember a friend of mine purchased expensive lingerie, gifts, cooked a fabulous meal, poured glasses of Champagne, and spread rose petals around the house only for his wife to never come home that night.  I’m sure you can imagine the tears and arguments that followed that evening.  Men and women want to be appreciated and Valentine’s day has become the day when that’s most expected. Not to mention the pressure that sex is expected on that day along with overpriced meals to our favorite restaurants.

The holiday has been forced down our throats and for all the wrong reasons. A day of cost inflation on flowers, candy and small novelties to show your love. Nothing cute about seeing an army of men running in Rite Aid to rummage through I Love You’ cards in the 24th hour. The fear for them is what will happen if they show up home empty handed with no plans or no gifts.

I choose not to celebrate Valentine’s Day because it has become more about spending than loving on one another. With one week left I challenge you to truly think about what the holiday means to you. Forget society and all the Zales commercials. Let love be the true celebration each day.