Red Friday...can't wait!

"Haha!"

I literally just laughed at myself as I bunkered down to write a scathing blog about the horrors of getting old and how I imagine post traumatic stress must feel like.  Then I looked at my stats and saw that 27 people clicked on my blog yesterday.  I said to myself "What's so special about February 13th?" Then a big "Ohhhh..."

"Valentines Day" or "Valentines Season" (in my mind basically this whole week).  I've never been a fan.  I rarely had a boyfriend to get excited about it with and I found the "Anti-Valentines" parties and events way more interesting.  But love is the name of the game this week and there are those looking for that someone special to get junkfood and blood colored toys and balloons from. 

This year, in my particular department at work, nearly everyone is paired up.  There are the married women, who got their flowers yesterday from prompt and obligatory husbands and I actually didn't throw up a little when I gathered with the rest and "Ohhh'd" and "Awww'd" at the cuddly phrases of love and affection bestowed upon their wives via florist card. But the new boyfriends have shown out this year with stuffed toys, Valentine trinkets, a million calls a day, flowers, and the grand finale "Valentines Date" tonight.  It has got to be a hassle - truthfully - to keep up with all these shenanigans (my new favorite word this month) that relate to a holiday based on the most fleeting of emotions.

My work husband came by today and asked a question that had him stumped all week.  He'd gone out with a girl twice since January and he like her very well but wasn't sure what level of Valentine he should extend.  "Should I text her "Happy Valentines Day" or call and tell her?  Should I buy her a flower or candy? Is it too much because we've only gone out twice?"  I told her I thought he should at least text her (since I'd gotten a text that morning from the corner grocer - and yes, I thought that was weird) and that should do it.  The supermarket was ablaze with Black Friday-like old and young alike picking through cake, candy, cards, and flowers last night and once again, I wondered when this had become such a big deal.

I'm not a Love Scrooge.  Me and my new boy both yawned at the thought of this day and really can't wait until this weekend when all the candy goes on sale. I just think I'm finally in the mindset that you love your sweetie (or just yourself) whenever you can and don't put so much emphasis on a day that somehow got on the calendar to show someone you love how much you care by buying stuff.  Unless you want to.  Then do you. But don't be bummed if you don't get to participate (or if no one wants to participate with you - I hear it's a partner kind of game).  Just pretend you're at the circus, or the zoo during mating season, grab some popcorn and watch the happy couples in the parade.  Then tomorrow when they're back to being normal, rack up on the cheap and dying roses, plant them at your desk or decorate your house with them, buy a big bag of dirt cheap chocolates and have the best time of your life being fat and happy all weekend.