Chocolate, Flowers and a Card, Check, I'm ready for V-Day

Money is made by creating a want, not necessarily a need.  We are cruising toward a "holiday" made special by the greeting card, confectioners and flower industry.  The Big V Day! And while some of you may suggest that I am slightly confused, Veteran's Day has come and gone, I'm talking about the day that if you are a Veteran of love, you better have this down pat or expect to be living in the house of shame the rest of the year or perhaps to her birthday if you haven't already screwed that up.

Men, I understand you think it is just a silly day that you are forced to acknowledge your mate with some recognition of your undying love for her by buying her a card, that usually doesn't really express your true emotions about this day.  You may buy her chocolates and as she devours each little chocolate morsel, savoring the creamiest flavor she has come to love, ask you in a sincere manner, "Honey, do you think these spandex leggings make my derriere look fat?" You choke back the words that quiver on the tip of your tongue, "No dear, not at all."  While you are secretly saying to yourself, "No dear, the damn $50 box of chocolates you just devoured make your ass look like an eighteen wheeler rollin, rollin, rollin..." If she only knew the thoughts that sprinted across your  mind that she refers to as feeble.

Or maybe you bought her a dozen roses and had them sent to her office so every one thinks she is the luckiest girl in the world, except for the woman who was blessed with two dozen.  Little does she know, his mistress was delighted with the diamond earrings he gave to her over a candle lit dinner in Paris while he was on business trip, "missing you."  

I don't remember any Valentine Day celebrations.  One's that stick out in your mind as special or any creative gifts that I was a recipient to.  I do remember though that I thought twice about laying Bill to rest on  that day, for a moment. A mere sixty seconds, the thought lingered there, "It's Valentine's Day. Should I? It would be so fitting for the love we shared, but what about others?" Next fifteen seconds, "Screw them, this is about Bill and I."

A few years after Bill died, his oldest daughter married.  Shortly after that she posted on her Facebook account how Valentine's Day was "ruined " for her because of my decision.  I felt sorry for her that she could not look beyond the event of that day in 2005.  It wouldn't have mattered what day I picked, she would have found a reason to make it all about her. She could have focused on how happy her Dad was.  Both of his daughters had shared with me privately that they had never seen their Dad so happy.  She could  have celebrated his life that day instead of turning the focus on to her, but she has chosen to be pitiful on that day.  Valentine's Day is not a "holiday" it is a day that two people recognize that someone special, lights up their eyes and warms their heart. Nothing more, nothing less.

It takes me back to Sweetest Day.  Another made up "holiday" that is only recognized in the Great Lakes region and parts of the Northeast for the most part.  It is usually the third Saturday in October and again it has sparked a spike in sales for those in the greeting card, confections and flower industry.

Men, again, do not sit home wondering what will she surprise me with this year?  They usually don't even know the day is nearing until the morning when the newsman announces, "Gentlemen, don't forget  your sweetheart today!" "DAMN!" He yells! He has to find time that day to find her the perfect gift! In the other room, she hears his call of dismay, "Honey, is every thing alright?"  "Yes, dear, just stubbed my toe."  He doesn't dare share with her that it is the eleventh hour and he still has to locate that perfect diamond in the rough gift that will make her think he is the King of Kings in the romance department.

But if he fails Sweetest Day, by forgetting her or delivering some thing not quite up to her satisfaction, he best start working on his Christmas gift that day!  He's got about 60 days to get this right once and for all!

So to all the love struck couples, the new and the old, may you find love in your heart as you prepare for this holiday.  I'll be saying a prayer to thank God for my blessings and the love I shared with my Bill.