ExposedNYC

Here’s the thing about Valentine’s Day. As a single individual you have three choices:

1. Complain about it
2. Ignore it
3. Embrace it   

Now, there is more than enough complaining in the world, so I’m going to leave that one to those who can make a more passionate argument than myself. I considered ignoring the day and posting as if it just plain didn’t exist. I honestly almost managed to forget about it this year until someone asked what I was doing. But, as a staunch traditionalist I can’t resist any excuse for celebration and automatic blogging content, so I’ve decided to embrace Valentine’s Day- shiny bows, clichéd heart-shaped sayings and all.

One of the most common arguments that I hear against the holiday is that it’s unnecessary- that we should really be telling people in our lives that we love them every day. Regardless of whether I agree or not, this just wouldn’t stand up in a debate.

Should we cancel Thanksgiving and all start daily gratitude journals instead of spending dinner with our families? Shall we skip BBQ’s and tropical getaways and all be productive this Labor Day? And while we’re at it should we get rid of Mother’s, Father’s, and Grandparents’ Day because they definitely deserve more than a Hallmark card for putting up with our antics? Of course not.

I will admit that it seems commercialized, like so many good ideas these days, but at the heart of it all is a good idea- love. We don’t have to make this day about romance. I could start quoting Ewan Mcgregor here- “Love is a many splendored thing, love lifts us up where we belong, all we need is love.”

I would urge the world to embrace the grade school mentality of the day- silly cards and candy given to anyone who touches your life. Send flowers to a single girlfriend who wouldn’t expect it. Write a Facebook message to those who you wish you kept in better contact with. Call your parents.

And if all else fails, join me at opening night of Step Up 2 and drool over the best Valentine a girl could ask for- Channing Tatum on a big screen (and for the guys, the girl is pretty hot, too.). Way yummier than a box of crummy chocolates!

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