Sad to be single on Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day can be tough for single people. Of course I've had my years when I resented my friends who were hooked up. I resented all the commercials for diamonds. I banged on the keyboard when I got those e-mails from FTD Florist guilting me because someone wasn't buying me a dozen red roses.
I wanted to send them hateful notes thanking them for rubbing it in. I wanted to organize groups of angry, single women to picket local stores.
It’s sad to know that the only card I would receive that year would be from my mother. But thanks Mom. You’re always a sweetie.
I have a friend who actually sent herself flowers at the office on Valentine's Day, then just smiled demurely when her coworkers gathered around all giggly to ask who they were from.
She probably ran to the bathroom later and panted out a few sobs.
When you're single and hating it it's like a slap in the face every time you see the holiday aisle at the grocery store carrying those tacky, huge red boxes of candy.
So maybe it's that past resentment that makes me not want to celebrate Valentine's Day in the traditional way. I don't want to drop $100 on dinner or have a vase of forced greenhouse flowers on my desk.
Last year Tommy bought me the daphne I wanted after we visited one of our favorite picnic spots. It's blooming right now, and for some reason that makes me really happy, a symbol that our love lasted to a second Valentine's Day.
This year I'm trying to wrack my brain about something nice, and non-monetary to touch on the heart-strings the way Hallmark pretends their cards do. Maybe write out a list of things we appreciate about each other.
We'll save the list of things that bug us for the "You Stink" holiday, which occurs the day after one of Kitty’s big parties when everyone is hung over.
For some unfathomable reason, Hallmark has not yet picked up on this holiday. They could get into a whole new line of "make-up" gifts. I'm really shocked someone in marketing hasn't thought of this yet.
Comments
Last year, I got physically ill walking into Safeway one day and was bombarded by pink and red crepe paper and balloons. Like, I literally almost vomited on the spot.
And that's how I feel about Valentine's Day. =)
SOW THERE! REPLIES:
No doubt. I must admit, Valentine's cards were fun in grade school but even then there was disappointment if your best friend got more of them than you.
Thanks for the sympathy Kelly.
Posted by: Kelly | February 8, 2007 10:15 PM
I enjoyed your post, and used a quote of yours here. :)
Posted by: Zandria | February 13, 2007 06:56 AM