There’s something about February 14 that brings out some emotion in everyone. Some people love it, some hate it, and others could care less. I have always been in the latter group. I have never put much thought or emphasis on Valentine’s Day. It wasn’t because I didn’t have a special someone to share the day with because for the past 14 years I have. It’s just that in my opinion, when you’re in love, doing nice and thoughtful things shouldn’t happen one day out of the year. If it does then there’s something wrong in the relationship.

Valentine’s day has turned into such a commercial holiday that the true meaning of the day has been lost. Instead of appreciating the love that is shared between two individuals we have a society where people look forward to receiving flowers, candy, and stuffed bears. Others make dinner reservations weeks or even months in advance just to celebrate the day and I don’t understand why. I’d much rather receive those things on a random day than on a day when it’s expected.

In an age where it seems as if everybody is searching for love at all costs, it’s no wonder that Valentine’s Day is a big deal for some. We have reality shows like The Bachelor/The Bachelorette, dating websites like E-Harmony and Match.com that promise to find you the perfect mate. Men and women go on these reality shows and dating websites and objectify themselves all for the sake of finding “the one”. They’re also searching for their 15 minutes of fame, but that’s another post.

The quest for love seems to be more prevalent this day and age than in any other period in history. Maybe the fact that I have had a special someone for so long has blinded me to how hard it is to find someone to love. But blinded or not, I do know that if you are lucky enough to find that special someone you should make every effort to show that person how much they mean to you and how much they are appreciated each and every day and not just on a holiday once a year.

I for one appreciate the unexpected. So as this Valentine’s day approaches I don’t look forward to flowers, candy, or teddy bears but instead I am looking forward to just spending the day with the man that I love. Because to be honest, Valentine’s day to us is just another ordinary day. I don’t need gifts to know how much my husband loves and appreciates me because he shows me every day. He shows  me when he helps out with dinner. He shows me by massaging my feet when I’ve had a long day. He shows me by making me breakfast on our days off from work. He shows me with his random calls just to say that he loves me. Those things are what matter to me, not what he does on one day out of the year but what he does for me every day of the year.  And I am truly grateful because I know how lucky I am.

This is what Valentine’s day means to me. What does it mean to you?