I have a confession to make. I get so SICK this time of year of bright red hearts and display upon display of cards and candies and stuffed animals and candles and bath oil… It goes on and on. And have you ever actually gone out to eat on Valentine’s Day? Restaurants are crowded, servers are run off their feet and instead of an intimate, romantic evening, I end up feeling stressed. Or worse, checking out the other couples and trying to gauge if they are really in love and if so, whereabouts on the scale of new-found passion to married-so-long-they-have-nothing-left-to-say to each other that these people fall. I’ve always thought that the most romantic gestures are the spontaneous ones. Of course, that said, I often end up writing Valentine themed stories. For instance, right now, I’m in a NASCAR Valentine collection with Vicki Lewis Thompson and Dorien Kelly called Racing Hearts. In it, my heroine’s planned Valentine’s Day goes horribly wrong. And last year, Under the Influence featured a workaholic heroine who stumbles into a restaurant not even realizing that it’s V Day. Luckily she meets the world’s most adorable bartender and well, the rest is all the good stuff that makes up a Blaze. One of the reviewers at All About Romance chose UTF as her favorite book of 2009. I was so thrilled by the honor that I will send a copy of Under the Influence to someone who leaves a comment. However you choose to spend this special weekend, whether with a lover, with friends, or curled up with your cat, make sure and do something nice for yourself.
Happy Reading,
Nancy
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(L) It has become very commercial I agree. But the most romantic thing about it is when the one you love does something totally unexpected. For instance my first V Day with my now hubby I was at night school and when I came home to my house I found roses and a card left behind by him. My room mate and I assumed they were for her from her boyfriend because Chris and I had only been dating for a month but low and behold they were from him. TOTALLY unexpected. Here we are 19 years later and I still have the rose peddles in a box as a reminder of his romantic side.
No I have never been out to a restaurant on V Day. They are too crowded. I would rather sit at home with my honey and have a nice meal than face those crowds.
(L) I don’t just give him a card on “The Day” I give him romantic cards all year long. Most of the time when he least expects it. That is what true romance is all about!
Hello Nancy, I think that V-Day is one that has lost the true meaning of romance. Although there is a plethora of evidence out there, that shows that love is in the air, it is too commercialized. I would never try to go anywhere on that day because of the factors you mentioned above. I would rather stay home with my honey and watch a sappy romance, cook a meal and just have some time alone with each other. Now, if you have kids, that could put a crimp in this arrangement, but it could probably work anyway. Maybe have a family dinner, put said kids to bed, and have some alone time. Whatever works for people, right?
Peace and love,
Paula R.
I forgot to add, spontaneous gifts, to me, are the most romantic and memorable ones.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
I’m a single gal so this holiday doesn’t really do much for me. I plan on reading romance novels all day, drinking wine, and eating copious amounts of cheesecake. And yeah, my cat Miranda will be there too, sleeping the day away.
Isn’t it fun both to do and to receive the spontaneous gifts of thoughtfulness? I do so agree and Patsy and Paula it sounds like you have good men in your lives. Jody, I think a day to enjoy novels, wine and cheesecake is a Very Good Day!
Enjoy!
I’m going hiking and then seeing that new movie called Valentine’s Day. I think it will be fun.
Oh, I think some champagne and chocolate may end up snuck in there too
I agree about restaurants on V-day, too much stress. I’d much rather cuddle up at home and watch romantic old movies like ‘Now, Voyager’, share a bottle of wine.
Like every holiday, it is getting far more commercial than it should, I mean, car dealerships spouting, ‘come on down to Towers Ford for our Valentine’s specials!’ Yeesh.
OMG! Buying your love diamonds is one thing, but a car???? Too funny.
I always spend Valentine’s Day with my grandkids. I don’t have a significant other so my kids and grandkids are my Valentine gifts. The holiday has got so commercial that it’s kind of sad. What ever happened to homemade valentines ?
Linda, you are a woman after my own heart. What better gift than a child or grandchild?
I love homemade Valentines best of all!
Enjoy the day with your special ones.
Nancy
Hi!
We have good friends 20 minutes away whose car is in the shop till at least Tuesday. We hope to either bring them here for a yummy supper or go there and order pizza (our treat), as they don’t have much money and obviously can’t do much on Valentine’s Day without a car.
My daughter is at her GF’s parents’ place over an hour away, but we correspond via texts and/or emails. She keeps us updated all the time (and vice-versa). She might be home Sunday night but it could be Monday, as we have “Family Day” and she doesn’t work on Monday.
My son is visiting his best friends an hour away, and I send him emails and texts but don’t often receive them in return. That’s okay, though. He knows we’ll always be here, God willing, for him and his sister. He might return either Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, or even Wednesday, as he too is off for “Family Day” (stores are closed), has Tuesdays off each week, and doesn’t work till later on Wednesday afternoon.
My husband of 28.5 years is off tomorrow, which is quite unusual, but we won’t be “celebrating” per se because it is Valentine’s Day. We celebrate EVERY day, whether it’s with a look or a pat (wherever….) or a note. Rest assured, we enjoy whatever opportunities we get when both of our kids aren’t home!
I’m working 10-8 in a grocery store! It’ll be busy! Last minute flowers, cards and candy purchases….
We don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day in any way , shape or form.
Valetine’s day is not something I celebrate… I do treat myself to some candy at the after Valentine’s Day sale though… probably spend my time with a great read!!!