I am sure that many a person today scurried about trying to find something for their special Valentine tomorrow. There is all this built up expectation and requirement that spoils the holiday more than anything. The whole romantic gesture would be so much better if it was on any other day, and it would be more unique and mean more.
For all the happiness and joy and excitement it brings for many, it brings the same upset, regret and anxiety to others. Personally, I hide on Valentines Day. It is best described as contrasting to the person on Halloween who does not want to pass out the candy and sits home alone with the lights out. I just don't think that it is a good time; with all the over expected anticipation for something bigger or something that is not there, there is let down if you participate, so I don't.
I could tell you stories, and romantic nightmares. There is the story of the guy that put a ring on a girls' finger and said, "How do you think it looks?" She was stunned, but not as stunned when he said, "I wanted to see how it looked on nice hands before I give it to Debbie because she has stubby hands." Yes that is a true story. It happened. And then there is cupid karma that hit him when he went to Debbie and she told him. "I met someone else in the elevator." Serves him right and no I will not console you or feed your fish while you are on a broken heart bachelor trip drowning your sorrows and gaining liquid courage for anything you can score. Then there are the stories that go from broken hearts to revenge and rage. We have all heard about them, or possibly had our version of what we think was a tragic Valentine's Day.
It's all hype. It is cute that all the elementary school kids will practice their penmanship and address a Valentine to each classmate. It is wonderful when a kid brings one home to their parents or someone to whom they want to point out is their special person. I have had that joy of a three year old pointing out that they loved me more than any one else and it is quite flattering to have a three year old have a crush on you! But the reality is that for as much happiness and joy that it brings for many, it brings pain and upset for many more.
Tomorrow across The District there will be domestic calls, ranging from serious to nuisance to humor. Some of the calls will be the reporting of someone not showing up because someone thought they should; to the person that is insanely jealous and knows that there is someone else so they cause drama. Others will be for retaliation. These calls will end up in a broken hearted arraignment docket and can range from delusion to lack of common sense to plain jealously and rage.
I will go to bed and sleep soundly tonight because I have no expectations and am quite happy about it. If everyone could adopt that attitude they may find things to be a little happier for both themselves and their Valentine.
