Okay, in essence, this is a retraction of all the negativity that I put forth in an old article about Valentine’s Day that appeared here a few years back. I did really believe all that stuff back then about how V-Day was really just an excuse to pick a guy’s pocket. I said all those things and stood behind them until, well, I faced the wrath of a female who changed my mind. Now, I am saying good-bye to that philosophy because I am a changed man.
You could be wondering who the female is who has changed my mind about Valentine’s Day, and she happens to be an eight-year-old girl who loves the notion of a holiday set aside for love. My daughter is a very loving child, and she is thrilled that people care enough to send Valentines. No matter how set I am in my thinking, it is difficult to go up against this little person I have loved since infancy.
It all started this way: I walked in and saw my daughter sitting at the dining room table writing out Valentine’s Day cards to all her little friends in school. Still locked in the comfort of my V-Day cynicism, I said, “What a waste of time, ink, and paper.”
I have seen my daughter’s wrath before, mostly confined to defending the singing talents of someone like Demi Lovato or the acting ability of Miranda Cosgrove, but this is nothing compared to her feelings about Valentine’s Day. I got a stern expression and was scolded vehemently along the lines of how insensitive I was for not recognizing the importance of love and a day celebrating it.
Of course, I was ready for battle. I sat down and held her arms and was ready to explain all the reasons why Valentine’s Day is for chumps and chumpettes, but that was when she looked up at me with a solemn little face and tears started welling in her eyes. This is when she said, “And I made a special Valentine’s card for you, Daddy.”
Okay, hit the violin strings and be done with it. I had an epiphany, albeit one that I had no choice about having, and I dispensed with the lecture I was about to give and instead hugged my daughter and thanked her for thinking of me.
Article comments
1 - Christine
Auhh, your daughter sounds terrific!
2 - Victor Lana
I think so, Christine. Thanks.
3 - Leslie
Posted by Mon Feb 1, 2010 10:47am PST
This "holiday" is just socially enforced degradation of men; for the most part it's all about a guy feeling he has to prove himself worthy by spending money, which often means buying overpriced flowers and expensive dinners. It's also about forcing men to perform for the woman's girlfriends, so she can brag about what he bought for her and where he took her. The men who don't play along with this charade can expect to be "punished". Advertising around this time reinforces the impression that V-Day is all about buying women presents.
The fact that some women do buy gifts is beside the point, as it doesn't change the overall reality for most men. BTW, I've done well in the past as a gift recipient, but I still feel for most men. It's still reverse sexism!
4 - JKeys
I have to shrink back a bit from former points of view about this day as with so many other bookmarked days on our calender. That is I'm in agreement with Mr. Lana on 2 fronts.
First I feel better when I rekindle the magic that still resides in the hearts of kids for "special" days. And from a more adult perspective.....come on fellas...you don't have to spend a bunch of money on soon to wilt flowers. Make the effort to use your imagination on how to get across the message that you care about somebody.
It's not that hard and you might actually make "yourself" feel good!
5 - Victor Lana
Thanks again for the comments. By the way, JKeys, I did use my imagination. I got my wife a sweatshirt with hearts on it and my children's names. She LOVED it. Besides the fact about flowers wilting, which they always do, there are many other ways to go. To play off a cliche, think out of the vase and you will be surprised what you can come up0 with for gifts.