Today is my least favorite national holiday. It's been my least favorite holiday ever since I graduated from the elementary school valentine's box tradition, and even before then it felt like a competition. We all wanted to be the one who gave the most popular valentines and received the most quantity and quality of valentines in returns. You totally knew someone disliked you if the valentine from them was stupid and had really crap candy attached to it.
And now? Now I'm an adult. And single. And generally speaking I'm quite okay with this- I even LIKE being single (which has surprised me more then anyone, I assure you). But then February comes around, and I'm less happy anyway because of the dark and cold... and along comes this holiday like a slap in the face.
Valentine's day contains no chalky conversation hearts or chemically enhanced roses, no overly packaged boxes of chocolates or fuzzy stuffed animals for me. I believe I've only had one "real" Valentine's day. And that's okay, because materialism is obnoxious and no relationship should require that much frosting on this one commercialized day of the year. I think the only real reason I've ever like Valentine's day is because it was an excuse to give people stuff. I love giving presents, to the point of annoying excess. Character flaw, perhaps.
At this point in my life I am single mostly by choice- I'm not pining for someone or feeling empty and alone (though I have hopes for the fall). And yet. Being single on this holiday is awful- like our culture is demanding that I be bitter or depressed or wracked with feelings of insufficiency. Glaring at the huge bright red grocery store display does not relieve my feelings much. No, corporate america, I will not buy your stupid themed candies. At least, not until they go on sale.
No comments:
Post a Comment