Happy Galentines
Valentine season is a beautiful season with its red, pink, hearts, chocolates and flowers. Valentine’s Day, however, can be one of the hardest days of the year for many. I’ve had “love” on Valentine’s Day and I’ve been without it. I know all too well the hurt the day entails for so many.
First, let me say, for those of you with true love, you give us all hope! For those of you who “think” you have “true” love, enjoy this day. I’ve been there too. If it’s not real, a big blow will be coming your way. I dread it for you. Heartbreak is NEVER fun.
This post probably isn’t for the lovebirds. This post is for those who are feeling left out, forgotten, unworthy. My best piece of advice is to do what you have to do to get thru the day. If you want to cry, cry. If you need to take the day off work, take it. If you feel like overdosing on chocolate, just remember it will all be half off tomorrow! LOL I’ve done all of the above at one time or another.
Growing up, my daddy always sent roses to my mom, sister and I. I was married ten years and always got flowers from my husband. Then in 2006, I didn’t have either. I was postpartum, going thru a divorce and for the first time in my life, not receiving Valentine’s flowers. I remember having a shouting match with my husband on the phone. My heart was ripping apart. (Let me add here, that he and I get along wonderfully now.). That was my first taste of seeing how painful Valentine’s Day could be for so many.
A couple years later, I became a school nurse. Guess where the Valentine flowers were delivered to, and who got to pass them out? Yep, the school nurse! So here I was a grown woman, with an office full of flowers, bears and balloons for KIDS and nothing for me. Each year, I swore I was taking the next Valentine’s Day off, but each year I was there again. I even was in a relationship during that time. No flowers for Valentine’s Day, actually no mention of Valentine’s Day. He would do something big after the fact. It would be grand and much appreciated, but still the actual day had been a disappointment. I guess it was this relationship that helped me realize that Feb 14 is just a day. There are 364 other days that I want to be loved, shown love and feel love.
As each year passed, I started watching who was posting the big flowers, the fancy dinners, even some jewelry. I realized that in many cases, they were being given because of expectation. I don’t know about you, but personally speaking, I don’t want to be given something out of expectation. There is no meaning in that. Car payments and mortgages are “expected”. I want to be given something from the heart. A random “just because” gift is so much more meaningful and heartfelt. I can buy myself a pretty bouquet…and I have. (FYI, a lot of women buy their own flowers and post them, leaving you to wonder who they’re from! The secret’s out!). Most years, I do get myself a “to me/from me” gift.
I need to reiterate that I’m not speaking for “all”. There ARE some flowers sent in love. I’m writing this to comfort ladies who either aren’t getting flowers this year, didn’t get flowers last year or heck, maybe have never received Valentine’s flowers. It’s hard to watch all of the flower deliveries. I know. Do me a favor, this year, if you aren’t getting flowers. When the disappointment starts creeping in, turn it into a positive thought. Think, instead, that tonight when you go home, you don’t have to cook for anyone, you can take up as much of the bed as you want and when you get up in the middle of the night, you don’t have to worry about falling in the potty because he left the lid up!!!!
Ladies, you ARE worthy! Happy Gal-entines to all of you!
Marada
