Valentine's Day: Arrow in Backside, or Thorn in Side?

This holiday has to be one of my least favorite. Why? Well, it isn't because I'm alone this holiday and resent being alone; it's because every year it brings out the best and worst in people.

And that makes it one of my least favorites why?

Think about it. If you are in love, and that love is new, you dance around happily wishing anyone and everyone a happy Valentine's Day without a care in the world. Of course, not everyone has a Valentine. Or at least that is what they think.

This is my first official Valentine's Day with my hunny, the most wonderful person in my life. He has to work tomorrow. Honestly, at first I was unhappy about that, but for me, with him, every day is Valentine's Day. February 14 is merely an excuse to show it, to go out and do something we normally wouldn't make time to do. It's a time to remember how much we care about each other, how much we are willing to sacrifice to gain oh so much more.

My youngest is still at that age where they exchange Valentine's in school. It has nothing to do with love, but more so with friendship and affection, sharing and caring. When did we as adults lose so much of that youthful innocence and become bitter, savage, vengeful creatures. Why is it that when we have "no one" to share our life with, Valentine's Day is something horrible, designed by the happy to flaunt that happiness to those who don't have such happiness? Why is it when we do have someone, it's the best day in the world?

This year, I've only seen a couple of comments. Perhaps that is simply because I'm busier than a beaver mending a dam on the edge of Niagara Falls and haven't had time to notice such trivial nonsense. Then again, maybe it's because I've been on that "no one to share it with" side enough times that I know what will happen if I mention it.

What I'd like to see from my friends, both in real life and in the social networking circles, is that youthful appreciation of others that we all used to be bombarded with on the holiday of hearts. I'd like to see those who think it's a load of bull reach out and tell someone that they matter in their life and how appreciative they are that said person is a part of it. I'd like to see valid reasons, remembering of the good things—the good people—in their lives, instead of the negativity that tends to spawn from the backside of cupid's flaming arrow missing its mark in some way.

In fact, I'll start.

Brett: I'm colossally grateful that I ran into you on Twitter and hounded you to pursue me. I think we both stepped outside our comfort zone way beyond normal to make this work and grow, and for that, I am truly blessed. Without you, I would still be stagnating. Thank you for pulling the headphones of white noise from my ears and waking me up to the intangible amount of opportunity that awaits me.

Judi and Gary: You are the best faux-ma and pa a girl could never ask for. I came into my relationship with your son ready to accept him and his flaws, and to embrace his family along with him. I never expected to be embraced in return. Thank you for giving me the family I wished so long to have and for accepting both my boys and I into your world. You have given me the greatest friend I've ever had, and for that, you have my undying gratitude.

T & D: Unfortunately, I won't let these two wonderful youngsters read my blog just yet. They have not yet reached the age appropriate size for this ride. But, despite the angst that inevitably comes with puberty and the teenage years we are heading into, I love them as much as the day they were born.

My readers: I'm not disillusioned to the fact that I have a small handful of people who read my blog. I don't post regularly enough, or with steady enough content to warrant a huge fan base, but that doesn't make my readers any less important to me than if I did have that huge following I used to long for. In fact, that makes you all the more important. I love my blog. I love putting myself out there. Without you, dear reader, I would not think things through nearly as much as if no one read my scribbles, my thoughts, my musings. You make me think, make me consider possibilities that go beyond the normal random outburst of emotion, and sometimes, remembering that I am not the only one who reads my thoughts here on the web, you make me really take a step back and see my flaws before I throw out some misguided rambling I may regret later. I may still find myself misguided when I look back at a future date, but having even just one reader definitely makes the learning process a much easier transition.

And that is my Valentine's Day Soap Box Sermon for 2011. May your day be filled with peace and happiness, even if you have to treat yourself. And believe me, after all you, dear reader, have done for me, you deserve it!

Happy Valentine's Day, all. Enjoy your Monday. :D