When I was a little girl I loved Valentine’s Day. I can remember in school we would make those beautifully decorated boxes to put all of our Valentine’s in. It was always so much fun to decorate; you would get cards and candy from all your classmates put in your beautiful handmade Valentine box. My mom always gave me something for Valentine’s Day as well, a stuffed animal, candy or maybe a new outfit. As I got older the magic faded; we no longer made the pretty boxes or received cards and candy on Valentine’s Day. Of course, mom would still send me a card on Valentine’s Day until she was no longer able to do so. As an adult, the holiday is just never what I think it should be or maybe want it to be. No matter how much I tell myself not to put too much into it, or not to expect too much, I always do. And of course, mostly I am let down. You build it up to be this big romantic day, and let’s face it …the result usually falls short. I know I am supposed to be thankful for a gift; it is the thought that counts right? But really, was there much thought put into some of the gifts I received through the years? Let’s reflect back…
Gifts I have received for Valentine’s Day:
Husband #1 – Husband #1’s Birthday was on Valentine’s Day so he thought he was excused from any form of participation. We celebrated his Birthday, which included me getting him a gift.
Husband #2 – Well at least I got something from husband #2. It usually consisted of a box of candy that he ate and a card that was written by someone else, with some meaningless phrase, that he signed.
Relationship #3 – After my second marriage I entered into relationship #3. I think this was the best of the Valentine’s gifts. He actually did try to make an effort and get me something I wanted. Mostly though I think it was out of guilt for having numerous affairs, which I was not aware of until later. In our 3 years of Valentine’s Day’s I was given flowers for year #1, a camera for year #2, and a TV for year #3, in lieu of the engagement ring that I wanted. There were no more Valentine’s Day for us after that year.
Relationship #4 – This man was my most promising for Valentine’s Day. When we were dating (which lasted 4 months) he gave me flowers once a week delivered to my office. He treated me to a shopping spree once for no reason. And when I was sick he offered to bring me Chicken Noodle soup, of course he was the one that got me sick. So for Valentine’s Day I just knew I was getting something really nice, I’m thinking jewelry here. So when the big day came …what I got, flowers delivered to my office just like all the other weeks. The difference, they were signed Happy Valentine’s Day. Don’t get me wrong, they were beautiful and I loved the gifts that he bought “just because.” I thought on Valentine’s Day however, it would be a little more special and it was not.
This year I am my own Valentine. I bought myself a new blender, a new set of much needed cookware and a new pair of shoes. I also have the best Valentine anyone could ever have, my beautiful little boy Tyler. What more could I ask for!
Arl's World 