Valentine's Day. Easily the most beautiful OR the most depressing day of the year. No, I'm not just another one of those hopelessly single girls complaining about a day that has to so blatantly expose their singledom. Even though I am single. And did spend at least three minutes of yesterday fantasising over the love of my life (yet to be known) declaring his love for me with a bunch of roses and a seafood platter at sunset.
Approximately 10% of marriage proposals happen on Valentine's Day. 180 million Valentine's Day cards are purchased; 40% of these are purchased by parents (my Mum didn't feel that sorry for me). It's estimated that 15% of women bought themselves flowers on Valentine's Day (I wasn't one of those either).
As I was standing at the underground train station after work yesterday afternoon, I watched the streams of people filing down the escalator; every second woman bearing a bunch of flowers of some kind. It reminded me that Valentine's Day really is a day for the ladies. They might say that they feel embarrassed by having to cart that thing through the city and all the way home; but really this feeling will be far surpassed by the feeling of knowing that everyone looking at them knows there is someone special who cares about them, admires them, and loves them enough to want onlookers to know about it.
Activities that people do with their loved ones on Valentine's Day may include:
- Picnics in the park.
- Buying gifts of chocolates, flowers, or jewelry (surprisingly the least bought gift on Valentine's Day)
- A romantic meal at a restaurant.
- A boat cruise with a special meal.
- Placing a notice in the local newspaper or a message through a local radio announcement.
How awkward if you've only just started dating someone around Valentine's Day. Roses, picnics and romantic dinners are completely out of the question. Is a text that reads 'happy valentines day' completely lame? Maybe it is just best to pretend that the day doesn't exist, or act completely oblivious to the heart bears filling every shop window. Or maybe - even worse - joke about how lonely our Valentine's Day is going to be because we are just soo single.
So on Valentine's Day, if you are not single, you flock to the last available table to eat a pre-set menu along with a whole room full of other couples, drink champagne (even if it's not your thing), and think about the most romantic - but not sickeningly corny - way to express your love and admiration for the person you go to bed with each evening. You will also experience some sense of satisfaction that you are contributing to Hallmark's booming business since the year 1913, on it's second busiest day of the year. Doesn't sound that appealing when it's put like that, does it ladies?
You're probably thinking so this girl really is just another hung-up desperato female? However, I forgot to mention one other thing that I noticed when I was waiting for my train yesterday afternoon. As bouquet after bouquet drifted down the escalator in the arms of all the lucky ladies, I was drawn to the one sunflower being held by an overweight business man, presumably in his late 50's.
It's funny how this moment was the moment that finally made me realise how this can be the most beautiful day of the year.
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