Much ado about a single day

Rumour has it today was Valentine's Day.

Rumour has it that Valentine's Day is a miserable day designed to torture single people.

(Rumour has it I posted about this last year, when I had just a few readers.)

Funny thing is? Besides the huge line-up at the flower kiosk on my way home, and a few tasty Hershey's Hugs on my cubicle, I would have never guessed that this oppressive day was taking place.

Honestly? I think the whole thing is much ado about nothing-- on both sides of the fence.

I'm not entirely sure buying something from a carefully crafted checklist of acceptable gifts available at any corner store is remotely similar to romance. To me, real romance is surprise, not a decision between roses or carnations, chocolates or teddy bears.

However, I'm not entirely sure the entire anti-Valentine's sentiment that has swept the world by storm over the past few years is any better. It seems more attention is paid in the media these days to how on earth singles cope with such a cruel reminder of their singlehood than to how couples celebrate. I honestly think that the people who spend so much protesting the day have bought into it just as much as the guy paying triple price for a dozen roses at the local 7-11.

Why not just see the nice parts of it without taking the whole thing at face value? Make it a day to reflect on the role of love as a whole in your life?

Okay, okay, to be fair, the boy and I are fleeing town this weekend, and holing up at a hotel. But this is minus any rose petals and balloon-o-grams, and more about each other's company and the beginning of his reading break (and celebrating his quitting his job-- in your face, grumpy boss!). And, today, we watched 24 on the couch eating sushi while I absentmindedly rubbed his feet-- like the victims of cupid's consumerism that we are.