I have such fond memories of Valentine’s Day. Here are a few.
1) In elementary school, I will always remember the little brown lunch bags we got to decorate and stick to the side of our desks. I got to go to the drug store to pick out my favorite set of little cards and envelopes, and a couple of boxes of conversation hearts. Then I’d go home and write a Valentine to each of my little classmates. Back then, EVERYONE got a Valentine.
2) One time in college, one of my girlfriends and I were single and desperate for Valentine’s loot. I met a guy at a bar, and strong armed him into taking me to dinner and buying me flowers. Not one of my proudest moments, but come on, it’s funny, no? I have been known to play hard to get, but not that time.
3) L and I always try and do something special. My favorite was our first Valentine’s at Spago in Beverly Hills. I was 22 years old and thought I was hot because I got to chat with Wolfgang Puck. We’ve never gone back to Spago again, which I think makes it an even more enchanting memory. (By the way, I’m totally not a “foodie” or whatever you want to call it, so I don’t know if Puck is a ‘has been’ in the food world, but I thought he was pretty cool)
4) Now we’re old goats and complain about how restaurants in L.A. have special crappy “Valentine’s Day” set menus that are severely over-priced. But even though we’re old goats, I still hope my husband cooks up something fun for us.
5) Valentine’s Day is my grandparents’ wedding anniversary. 58 Years of Marriage. They’re my relationship heroes.
Yes, Valentine’s Day is overly commercialized. That argument is tired. So is “everyday is Valentine’s Day with my spouse. Why do I need to celebrate one day?” Whatever. I agree there is a lot of unnecessary pressure to buy things, but I think it’s always nice to appreciate your loved ones. End of story.Why not? Life’s too short.