I don’t go in for it. It’s not that I’m not a romantic. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. That’s why That Man is going on a Schmalentines date with his best mate to the gym tonight, and then to the pub. Of course. That’s what boys in a bromance do, right? And I’m fine with it. Let me explain.
My high-school years weren’t spent swatting away boys with my fly swat, their bunches of supermarket flowers wilting; nor did I receive the requisite blunderbuss of long-stemmed roses in my early 20s on Valentines’ Day. Actually – perhaps I did, but I classified them as ‘sorry flowers’, as all flowers from this boyfriend were, designed to make up for such abominable misdeeds that I seared their heads off with my upset laser eyes. They don’t count.
So, I get it. Valentine’s Day can be a lonely and sad place when it seems everyone’s loved up except you. It’s natural to look inwards, and ask what it is you want, and whether you’re where you want to be. I’m not complacent and so showered in love and gifts that I’ve become jaded. In a relationship though, it can be a kind of dumb day. Early on, it can be an awkward ‘are we doing this yet? Are we ready for big red cards? Are they? Do I?’, and then later on, it can be pressure-filled as women hope for jewellery or proposals while men just try to make it through without crushing too many unmet and unimagined expectations. In a marriage? It can be a time for reflection too, partly because some bitch in the office was delivered a massive bunch of flowers in an ostentatious manner by her fiance. Just rude. To all the single people, I mean.
What do I want? Why don’t I care if That Man’s at the gym tonight? Because I want my romance to be unique, and not a one-size-fits all happy meal that’s instead served in a restaurant, cheek-by-jowl as couples are told which three courses to eat from their set menu. You must drink champagne. You must love chocolate. (Is it strange that I’d rather eat cheese?) It’s very difficult to have a real conversation under such circumstances, unless you’re fond of speaking like mice and have naturally smiley faces. My resting ‘bitch face’ can present a problem, at times. So that kind of Schmalentines Day is not for me.
The flowers that come these days from That Man are surprise flowers, often delivered from the hand of my biggest, and they’re the best kind. The dates we have are often of the takeaway sushi and DVD on the couch type, where we can even end up having a fight, loudly if we feel like it. Which is fine by me.
Wine, dinners out, being told I look hot, getting dressed up, and all that other stuff is definitely on my radar. In the bullseye. (Do radars have bullseyes?) But not today, cos everyone else is doing it and that’s no fun. And FUN is what it’s all about, when everything else gets tired, I suspect. When I’m saggy and my boobs need tying around my ankles so I can run down to the shops without tripping over, I hope I’m not the only one laughing.
Before That Man went to bed last night, dead tired, he did the dishes. He also contacted a school book cos he knows I hate it. (Covered it in contact, I mean. He didn’t ring it up. That would have been strange.) Looks like Valentine’s Day was yesterday, people. That’s love.
‘See you in another life, when we are both cats’
xx
Nailed it!!! As Hubby and I always say, Valentine’s Day is just a marketing ploy. Let’s celebrate love every other day, I say! x
Grace recently posted…Wordless Wednesday – Vaucluse House
Ha ha Kim – he didn’t ring it up – love your humour. I got nothing, no card, no flowers, but a kiss. I told him I would much rather him get home 15 mins earlier to help with kids than buy a card for me ON Valentine’s Day – like he didn’t know it was the 14th and no other day to get one
Love this post x
Emily @ Have a laugh on me recently posted…Flying can be fun, and not just for those in the Mile High Club!
Mr BE and I spent the evening together … doing the budget. But then, he has always liked numbers so maybe it was more romantic for him than me :). And yes, if you want radars to have bullseyes, they can have bullseyes
Enid Bite’Em recently posted…Books That Change Your Life
Such a cute pic of the cats. As for the other visual of tying your boobs around your ankles… can’t get it out of my head. Thanks for that!
Rachel @ The Kids Are All Right recently posted…Putting a square family in a round hole
We kind of sit on fence with V – day as our wedding anniversary is the 10th and far more important a date.
It has it’s place but I hate the commercialism and $ driven consumerism of it .
Trish recently posted…Roads to Recovery
I agree – it’s the little things that make all the difference. I’d choose contact over spending the night in too.
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted…meatballs in the sky with basil
I just can’t keep up with the rapid turnover of retail opportunities. Valentine’s Day comes way too hot on the heels of back-to-school for our household I think (plus a few days before my birthday, so I can’t be too greedy). I reckon a surprise bunch of flowers is a thousand times nicer than an overpriced one bought because it’s expected. Great post
Lara @ This Charming Mum recently posted…Comment on On the day David Tennant bought me a Kindle. by This Charming Mum
Thanks Lara. Tell me about it – it’s all so confusing I was about to buy an Easter bunny in Woolies the other day! Nearly your birthday too… uh oh.. here it COMES! Hope you’re feeling ready now.
Mine was last Sunday so I’m still bathing in gifts – plus two days ago we forgot to celebrate being together 12 years. So V-day? Pah.
I think you have winner if he contacts school books! Definitely a keeper!
Annaleis – Blogs and PR Team Member
Annaleis from Teapots and Tractors recently posted…Counting 1 – 100 {Printable}
I reckon – I might contact him to the floor to make sure ..
Yes, as I always say, every day is Valentine’s Day with my wonderful hubster
Janet @ Redland City Living recently posted…A Love Story for Valentine’s Day
Awww you’re such a romantic
My husband went all out and got me a facial voucher. I got him…nothing. I’m hopeless. I like V Day so I am a very bad spouse indeed. Off to the bottlo for some nice booze I go…
SarahMac recently posted…On the occasion of his first birthday.
My point EXACTLY. You never know if the other one will. It’s a study in screw ups (yours, or theirs). Bottlo – babe – I love your style. Slapdash? Who, you??
I always buy a present thats for us to share ( a good reason to do some shopping) but we’re doing our celebrating one night next week. Tonight I’ve got Book Club with ma ladiez
lydiamissmoffat recently posted…Stepping out of the comfort zone
Book Club SNAP! That’s the way to spend today! I do like your shopping excuse. Is wine considered a present to share? I’m doing that one.
Hiya, I just bought my Valentine’s Day gift online and told my man to give it to me. Thank you Michael Kors. Happy schmalentines day, I love ya!!!
Love your work Jo! I’m taking notes. xx
I’m just happy that because of the teachers’ strike I got to sleep in today and have a late lazy pancake breakfast with my boys. Haven’t been in a relationship for a long time, so am kinda bemused by the whole V Day hoopla.
Dorothy @ Singular Insanity recently posted…Building a World Wall with Scotch Restickables
Thanks for stopping by Dorothy. Late lazy pancakes? WAAAAY better than anything I could dream up.
I think I’ll just skip to the part where it’s tomorrow already. Next year even.
Kelly HTandT recently posted…Four and a half year olds are annoying
I’m going to give you the City Slickers talk, Mitch, and tell you to ‘Go and find your smile’. Probably on a cattle drive in the wilds of Colorado. I’ll watch your kids xx
A great read! Stopping by from talk to Us Thursday.
Emma recently posted…A little exciting
Thanks Emma
Contacting school books?!! Yep definitely a winner there. My hubby does all the clothes washing, washes dishes and does school pick ups etc, so I can’t complain either. Even though admittedly I’d never say no to chocolate for any reason…
Ness recently posted…Introverts Guide To Getting Rid Of Unwanted Guests
Wow – you picked a good one! School pick ups even – nice work Ness.