♫ The V-Day

Valentine’s Day. It’s right around the corner! I’d be lying if I told you I was excited. I’d really be lying if I told you I’ve been thinking about it. I was reminded by a friend yesterday that it’s this coming weekend. I’m that excited. After a few discussions with some close friends today, I thought I’d throw something together, to help every person out there…not just the romantics.

I talked about my love/hate relationship with Valentine’s Day last year. It’s in the archives, if you’re interested. Sarah blogged on it recently too, here: Love

The best part about Sarah’s perspective, is that she’s dead on with how we should be looking at love…whether we’re single, in a relationship, or somewhere in between.

It wouldn’t be fair to say I hate Valentine’s Day completely, unless I was going to say the same for every holiday. Holidays aren’t about the actual day, in my opinion. They are just a gentle reminder of things we should celebrate all year round. The Fourth of July, we blow things up in remembrance of our Nation’s birth; a holiday that should be celebrated daily. Thanksgiving, we give thanks…something we should practice daily. Christmas, some celebrate Christ’s birth, others take time to love on their families, for no other excuse then just to spoil them. Valentine’s Day should be the same. While it’s annoying that all the stores out there are out to get you with their bargain romances, it is important to remember to celebrate whatever it is that you love. Take Sunday as the opportunity to love on somebody, ask for forgiveness, mend a broken heart, start something new, or hate the department stores. Then, try to remember Sunday’s actions, every single day.

For the Romantics

Ideas…for those looking for gift ideas, romance novelties, etc. etc.

*Cologne/Perfume

My mamma always told me that cologne is intimate. A sign, that things are getting serious. A sign that you really like somebody.

*Flowers

Yes, flowers die. Yes, they feel like a waste of money. But most women, whether outwardly or deep down, love to be spoiled, especially in front of people. They are overpriced. They don’t last long. But she’ll remember.

*Cook

Avoid the busy restaurants and cook your man (woman) their favorite meal. There is way more privacy for hearty conversation, you can control the food, lighting, mood, etc., and you don’t have to deal with reservations, the crowd, or the noise. Plus, it shows you’ve gone above and beyond for somebody when you cook something they enjoy.

*Anything out of the ordinary

Clean their toilets <- - - true romance, gents.
Clean the litterbox
Change the diapers
Do the dishes <--- by hand. We’ll notice.
Clean the garage <---ladies, DON'T organize, touch, or even smell the tools.
Detail their car/truck/horse
Let them sleep in <--breakfast in bed doubles your points

Actual quote from a friend of mine (hope he doesn't mind): "drew a "get out of the doghouse free" card Sunday..." <--Women remember everything...even the good stuff. What you do, on this day, will stick with us forever.

Remember…these are all things celebrated on a stupid woman’s holiday, but a concept that should be shared year round. And really, for anybody you love…not just your lover. ;)

Yours Truly,
Nomz

♫ Protest on Valentine's Day

Confession: This girl thinks that Valentine’s Day is the worst holiday ever created, founded, thought of, and celebrated. Not because Im bitter and lonely, but because it’s a lame excuse to spend entirely too much money because you feel like you “have to”.

I’ve never been alone on Valentine’s Day. And im not sure that I’ve ever begged or pleaded for a gift, or even a celebration.

P.S. (weird spot for a PS but I need the guy's attention before I lose it completely). GUYS-if we get bored, you dont get any. Period. Your sex life will continue to diminish as your creativity does. Just FYI.

In my opinion, what happens on Valentine’s Day, a celebration of love, should happen randomly throughout the year, rather than it be a required yearly tradition on one day. The crowds in the restaurants are ridiculous. The jewelry stores go nuts. Girls go crazy. Flower sales go through the roof (really, who spends all those dollars on something that keels over days later?!), etc. Wouldn’t it more sentimental, more sweet, more of a celebration, if the guy came up with it on a day all his own?

Confession: I like flowers. I do not love flowers. I love lily’s, but don’t expect nor want them often. I get so sad when they are done blooming. Someone should make fake flowers that look real, that smell good! Oh…you know, I think they do? But for some reason…mean less?

I think V-Day is an excuse for a woman to get sappy, a man to get in trouble, and businesses to make unnecessary money on dying things. ;)

Done bah-humbugging. I know that most of us don’t have men that think of something randomly throughout the year. But really, if you didn’t remind them, would they remember V-day?! Doubt it. The guys that actually remember the holiday, and actually plan something special, are generally pretty good at planning stuff the rest of the year too (please, please, correct me if im wrong).

If someone is making you feel special because of a holiday, are they really doing it for you? Hmmm…

Instead of the holiday, make up your own between the two of you! Say “love of my life, every odd Thursday of every third month, let’s do dinner and flowers and a football game!”…ok, so all that they’ll remember outta that sentence is “football game”, but the point is, you can make time for each other without society putting a label on it. You can say once a quarter, we’re going out. Plan it in advance, put four reminders in his cell phone, on the mirror in the bathroom and in his car, and make sure he is full of flattery, good scented, and gift in hand (a single flower or small token will do, gents).

Let’s face it ladies, if we want and crave the romance, most of the battle is ours. Learn to take his small gestures are gratefully and celebratory as possible, he’ll keep doing it! ;) And, try to remember that they like to be flattered too! If you go above and beyond to cater to something you know they love and live for, they’ll notice and feel guilty enough to return the favor.

Wanna join me in the protest, or do you really actually enjoy this holiday?

Not much of a romantic myself, but will continue on my quest in finding fun ideas to keep things alive in a relationship:

Fun list of romantic ideas (you can only read these if you add your own):

Get some dry-erase markers. They write all over mirrors well and clean easily. Keep’m by the sink so they’lll remember to use them!

Go for a drive. Crazy how jammin’ out to some good music, sitting in the middle seat (or holding hands across the middle) can rekindle things.

When he’s zoned out in front of the TV/Computer/Video Games, blow in his ear, kiss his neck, wrap him up in you. (note: not every time, you’ll probably push it a bit)

Buy him something you hate, but he loves (or visa versa)!

Get outta town. The same streets and restaurants can keep your romantic life style dryyyyyyy. Rent a cheap hotel in another town for a night and kick it up!

Write a really cheeeezy poem. One that shows your rhymin skillz but getting the point across (Roses are Blue, even tho that aint true, I love you). :}

When you go shopping for your favorite thing, get them something too (your girl may hate sports, but if you get us anything we’ll love it)

Go camping... Forget one sleeping bag!

Go for a walk at night, even if it's a cold night. Good conversation will be had!

Go to a scary movie (don’t make each other suffer through man and chick flicks), scary will keep you both interested, and close. ;)

-Nomz