A Real Woman's View on Valentine's Day

I'm sure we all have our fair share of Valentine's Day horror stories. A lot of people do not celebrate Valentine's Day because of their past experiences. A lot of people don't even know the real reason for celebrating Valentine's Day. It is actually a Christian holiday based upon a Christian martyr by the name of St. Valentine. It's a celebration of romance and it used to be celebrated the entire month of February.

So why do we only celebrate it for one day now? What has Valentine's Day become? Most people believe it's about appreciating the special someone in your life. This belief has been instilled in us by retail and grocery stores. Businesses are simply there to provide us with items to celebrate our lives with. They are there to make a profit. Just as if you would buy a movie to enjoy is the same reasoning behind buying gifts. We pay for our celebrations and gifts.

I'll let you in on a little secret.

That's right, the best gift is you and your time. This doesn't have to be exclusive to Valentine's Day either. It could be once a week or once a month date night. It costs $0 to make your special someone feel special. Here are 10 ideas that cost little to no money for Valentine's day or date night.

1. Look up a new recipe and cook your special someone a great meal for the two of you to enjoy.
2. Take a long walk and talk about things that have strengthened your relationship or happy memories.
3. Anyone loves a full body massage, use lotion if you have it available. Kiss the spots before massaging them.
4. Play an old fashioned board game. Best if it's a game that brings out friendly competition.
5. Netflix and chill. Yeah everyone's tired of hearing about it but what's better than cuddles, snacks, and a movie?
6. Post-it love notes or just notes with tape. Write out the reasons you appreciate them and put them on various things around the house that you know they use every day.
7. If you're unable to be with them, message them a random love quote every hour.
8. Write a funny poem or song. This doesn't have to be a masterpiece. Get creative and have fun with it.
9. Let them take a nap while you clean up the house and make a meal.
10. Plan a couple's game night and invite your friends who are in relationships or married.

Have fun with all of this, get creative. No idea is a bad idea if well thought out. Most likely they haven't had someone be so original during Valentine's Day. If someone truly loves you, they don't whip out their calculator and judge your love based on prices.

Love Is in the Air

Your unique relationship should be celebrated in unique ways. Have fun making the best memories. The gift doesn't matter, it's the though that counts. Think about how you would make them feel to really think about a way to make the feel appreciated based on their likes and dislikes rather than a box of chocolate and roses.

Celebrate your love, rather than the idea of love.

Tend to your love like a garden. The more attention it receives, the more it flourishes. Soon enough, you'll be looking into the eyes of your best friend. After all you've chosen them to accompany you during your life.

Love is friendship.

Not everything is going to be picture perfect. Sometimes you'll laugh. Sometimes you'll cry. Sometimes you'll pull out your hair and scream profanities. No matter what happens in life the only thing that matters is who's there for the ride with you. Maybe each milestone we go through in love turns into a wrinkle at the corner of our eyes, or a gray hair. I'd like to think of it like that.

Together through it all.

Roses only last but a short moment. Instead capture the beauty of your love and enjoy it for the rest of your lives. You'll be accompanied by something much more beautiful than a grocery store rose I can assure you.

If you have enjoyed this short story, please contribute by gifting, the link is below. Thank you.