[So You Know: I'm generalizing here, when I talk about couples - if you're in a relationship, don't feel like I'm bashing on you. I'm simply generalizing and saying what I see the majority of the time.]
I say it all the time that Valentine's Day is one of my least favorite holidays. Alot of people ask me why I'm not a huge Valentine's Day fan, and it's pretty simple.
I think, if you're with someone you truly care about, you should show them you love them every day you're together, not just one day a year. I mean, I understand that Valentine's Day is special for alot of people, because it's their chance to REALLY show their special person how much they care about them. But, let's be real. I know alot of couples out there who aren't exactly "meant to be together", if you know what I mean. They don't act like a couple alot of the time, and they don't treat each other the way they should. For those of you who've read my note "Something on my heart", I talk alot about how girls should be treated, like princesses. On that, I think alot of guys get off the hook when it comes to treating their girl right. I mean, alot of guys' mentalities that I know is like, "I don't have to tell her how I feel everrryyyy day, she already knows how I feel. That's what Valentine's Day is for." They think they don't have to let their girl know how special they are to them, because that's what a holiday is for. They think as long as they show her how they feel one day a year, in some big romantic gesture, yet ignore her or treat her like just any other girl the rest of the year, that it's okay.
That's not true at all! I mean, from a Christian standpoint, the Bible's pretty clear on this stuff. In 1 John 3:18, it says, "...let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth". That's exactly what I'm talking about right here! Event the Bible says what I'm talking about. We're not supposed to love one another (the Bible's talking about brotherly love, for every one else - I think it can be applied to romantic love as well) by the way we talk or our charming words we say. No, we're supposed to love each other in Deed and in Truth. That means that we SHOW people we love them, not just SAY it. We show them how much they mean to us by the way we treat them, what we do for them, how we spend time with them, not by simple words. Now, obviously, romantic relationships require words, so I'm not bashing talking. I'm simply saying that saying "I love you" isn't enough; we have to show the person we're with how much we love them. And we don't do this on only Valentine's Day, but every day we're together.
We see it all the time: guys rushing into Safeway the night before Valentine's Day to get some chocolates, a bear, some flowers, and a nice card. And we all think to ourselves, "awww, that's so cute". But I always catch myself thinking, "good for him, now hopefully he treats her like that every day, not just today". On Valentine's Day, every guy is the "perfect boyfriend" because that's the part he's supposed to play on that day. But as soon as the day's over, he goes back to exactly how he was the day before. I think that's terrible - in a way, it gives the girl a false sense of hope. She might think to herself how awesome her guy is, how much he loves her, and how special she is. And yet, sure enough, the next day, things go back to normal, as if February 14th never happened. That's the trouble with holidays, in my opinion.
I'm not bashing couples at all, I'm just trying to point out how we should be treating each other. This whole concept doesn't just apply to people in romantic relationships. I think that this idea of SHOWING people how much we love them, every day, is for everybody: friends, family, everybody. I try my hardest to show my friends how much I love them every day, even if it's as simple as a text or IM or call or whatever it is. I know how good it feels to have my friends tell me they care for me, so I try to return the favor. As far as relationships go, whenever I'm in a relationship, I tell the person I'm with how much I care for them, how they special they are to me, on a daily basis. I'm not saying I don't do anything for Valentine's Day, because I totally do. I just make sure that on Valentine's Day, I show the person I'm with how special they are to me, even more so than normal. I spoil them on that day, because to me, that's what the day should be about - spoiling the person you're with, not just buying some chocolates. I've never liked Valentine's Day because it seems to me to be just a way for card companies to get money, or have shaky relationships stay together longer.
I'm not trying to be pessimistic or seem like a downer, because I love what Valentine's Day represents, I just don't agree with how people use it nowadays. I love showing people how much they mean to me, I love showering the person I'm with with gifts to show them how special they are. I love spoiling the person, because everyone deserves that. Everyone deserves to be pampered once in a while, and I think Valentine's Day is a great time to do that. But we have to remember that Valentine's Day shouldn't be the only day we do that. To me, overall, the fact that you're in a relationship should be cherished, and not taken for granted. We need to show whoever we're with how much they mean to us every day, because we never know how much longer we'll be together. And if you're in a relationship, please treat each other the same way you feel about each other. Meaning, the way you feel for that person in your mind and heart? SHOW them that, every day, don't keep it to yourself - tell them you love them, show them you love them. Not just on Valentine's Day.
Once again, I'm trying to sound pessimistic or a love-hater; I'm just saying how I feel, and I hope some of this makes sense to you guys, and that this Valentine's Day will be a great day for you all!
Happy Valentine's Day everybody! Make it a great one! Love y'all! :D
