There is definitely an odd feel about today. Not only is it Valentines Day, but it's a full moon and the country is being gangbanged by the weather. It's insane. Gale force winds, storms, torrential rain and flooding. Mother nature is stamping her authority and showing everyone who's boss. She is definately Boss Lady today.
Valentines Day. What actually is it? What does it mean to you? Are you with someone? If so do you celebrate it? If not do you hate it?
Here is the description on Wikipedia
The day was first associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. In 18th-century England, it evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). Valentine's Day symbols that are used today include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards.
Many people now believe it to be nothing more than a commercial exploitative entity. Another excuse to pile pressure on us about what we should be doing or buying. How we should be. How we should act. Just like Easter, Christmas, Mothers Day, Fathers Day etc.
According to a study reported in today's press 2/5th's of 16-24 year olds don't bother with it, (To be fair 5/5ths of 16-24 year olds can't be arsed with anything) 50% of singletons ignore it and 1/3rd of long term married couples don't celebrate it. (Again flawed data as 2/3rd's of long term married couples don't celebrate anything other than a long kip.)
Only 15% of people go out for dinner on Valentines Night. Let's face it, having to book a table in an overcrowded restaurant with banks of tables side by side in 2's, with a set menu for £100, a red rose on the table, cheesey music and a ferero roche with the coffee is most people's idea of hell. Still if it gets you a blow job, who cares.
If you have been with your partner for longer than 10 years quite frankly the idea of going out all night and actually having to sit opposite and talk to each other is horrifying. There is nothing more romantic at that stage than watching a movie on the Ipad...in separate rooms of course.
Me? I'm a cynic and a romantic rolled into one. I hate all the bullshit pressure and rampant commercialism. The walking clichés of roses, cards, sweets, chocolates adverts and pressure to be romantic. However on the other hand I'm a terrible sucker for it. I feel the pressure and generally give in to it. I love giving gifts anyway, so I play the game. I reluctantly love it
For what is life without love? Joyless that's what. There are many types of love of course. Mostly nothing to do with Helium red balloons, or heart shaped chocolates. Those are gimmicks. Yes of course it's beautiful to give and receive gifts. Yes of course it is an expression of love to cook something or give to a loved one. Yes of course it's important to celebrate love. Nothing should ever detract from that in any form.
If it makes someone happy to have a 5 course set Valentine Menu in Zizzi's then who am I to criticise that? If buying a bouquet of Valentines themed flowers from M&S on the way home as I saw hundreds of men do today at Waterloo station makes people happy, then so be it. Who am I to be cynical?
But love is not for one day. It is every day. I am only beginning to learn or begin to take a peek of what love is. I have had no idea. My idea in the past has been in obsession, adoration and selfish need. Apparently love is not selfish. That is an on-going journey of discovery for me.
I did join the ranks today and gave my girlfriend some flowers, heart shaped chocolates and a card when she woke up. We agreed to have our date tomorrow night, not when everyone else is doing it. I prefer it that way.
The main regret I had though in doing an early morning romantic gesture is that I had to rush off to work and I didn't get the chance to cash in on my romantic gesture by receiving an early morning blozzer. I'll have to keep that one up my sleeve for tomorrow. A slap up KFC should seal the deal. I'll report more in tomorrow's blog.
Happy Valentines day everyone and if you are on your own, and haven't been told today by anyone. We all love you. Us humans. We all really love you so never EVER feel alone.
Together We Are Stronger
Nicholas Evans
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