Why Valentine's Day is important!

I know what I'm about to say isn't the cool stance on today. I'm supposed to be all jaded and shrug off the importance of today. Maybe say something like, "Valentine's day is a holiday Hallmark invented to sell cards" today.

Today doesn't deserve that.

First off, no, Hallmark did not invent this holiday. It's like super old. Goes all the way back into pagan Roman times where they had orgies and shit. Pretty dark beginning, actually.

The meaning of today has evolved for me. When I was a kid, it was a day where I got candy from classmates. Then in high school, maybe a cheap carnation from friends for a high school fundraiser. Then in college, sweet homemade cards from Paul. As an adult, I started to feel bad that I got so lucky in love and tried to downplay it when I was around my single friends. But yesterday, I realized that I love today.

And no, not because of Paul. I mean for the world. Today, everyone acknowledges love. I think it's wonderful to celebrate love, even if it means buying flowers that will die next week and chocolates that will make your blood sugar spike to diabetic levels.

I think it's necessary for our hurting hearts.

I'm not sure about you, but as I get older, the world gets a little darker every year especially last year. There was so much pain and death around the world. Don't you think about it like I do?

I think about it a lot.

I think about those Syrian orphans: hungry and cold, an ocean away from me. I think about mother elephants being hunted by poachers and their babies crying over their tusk torn bodies with no one able to help them. I think about those Nigerian girls that were kidnapped and how many of them gave birth to their rapist's children and if they're still alive. I think about the giant Texas sized garbage pile floating over the Pacific and the sea turtles choking on that plastic and wonder why no one is doing anything. I think about the Polar Bears drowning because the ice is melting and puzzle why politics is fighting scientific proof. I think about provincial teenage girl in Vietnam who was tricked into becoming a slave in the sex trade when all she wanted to do was have a better life for her family. I think about those dogs in shelters who have stopped barking because they've lost hope that they will find their forever homes and people who refuse to spay or neuter their pets. I think about dying in the hands of a gunman every time I leave my house to go to Target and never seeing Paul again and being so pissed that I'll probably end up being a ghost.

I'm very grateful that today exists. I don't care if I encourage the hungry monster of capitalism to grow by spending money on chocolates and cards and gifts. I think this is one of those few times where money can buy happiness. Certainly, some of us can use it as a tool to be thoughtful and kind. For just a few hours at least.

I'm not naive. I know the world sucks. It so sucks. I mean, tomorrow sure, the infidelities will continue, the suckage of assholes will flow, and the world will trample those rose petals we sprinkled today as they go back to their normal routine. Some of us will go back to clutching the things that keep us sane, be it our guns, our religion, or our money.

I don't think enough of us turn to love. I get it. It takes more courage and faith in humanity to do that. That way lies disappointment most of the time. That's probably why we have all started to shut down and stopped trying to be vulnerable We're so scared and tired of getting hurt. We probably think that's a better way, a stronger way to live life.

“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren't always comfortable, but they're never weakness.” 
― Brené Brown, Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead

I think today manages to be both overrated and underrated at the same time. Today, I'm going to forget about being cynical. I'm going to give Paul flowers and tell him I adore him. I'm going to hug a friend I'm seeing for lunch. I'm going to send a wish for the world to have a moment of peace from pain.

I think tomorrow is soon enough to go back to being cynical.