Why couples should celebrate Valentines Day...

Photo by Mark Davis Photograpahy 

I hope I don't receive too much slack for posting this... and I know you're thinking "why should a certain day of the year dictate when or how I should show my love some extra affection?"   Hear me out.  I had an epiphany the other day, which is why I'm making this post. These are the top 4 things that  I often hear couples telling me, and  here are my responses:

1. "Valentines Day is a gimmick" -  I agree. Yes, companies have made billions on this "unnecessary" day, but the fact that love and romance is being advertised as something we need to cherish is in my opinion pretty necessary.  Yes companies are monetizing on our love, but they will always find ways to monetize on ANYTHING and EVERYTHING.  We don't need to purchase anything and everything that has a heart on it though, do we? No.  You can simply buy a slice of his/her favourite cheesecake from a local bakery. It's the thought that counts!

2. "Valentines Day shouldn't be 1 day a year it should be every day." -   Unfortunately, in our un-perfect world, Valentines Day cannot be every day, however showing some love and gratitude to your partner on a daily basis can constitute as Valentines Day in their opinion, so hey maybe every day can be Valentines Day! 

3. " We've been together forever,  we don't do that kind of stuff anymore." -   Bam, that's a problem.  I know we don't need "a certain day of the year" to give gifts,  give extra kisses, plan an important dinner, set some extra time aside for your wife/husband, because in reality, we should all be trying to do that on a weekly basis. Some couples are not as fortunate as others where they have all the time in the world to plan dates.  Valentines Day gives them the opportunity to make it a point to do something special for one another. I think for parents especially, Valentines Day is quite important. It's an amazing excuse to get dolled up, have a few hours away from their kids and have some much needed adult time. It's a lovely excuse to just GO ON THAT DATE that you've been waiting weeks if not months to go on.

4. "It's too damn expensive."  - Why does Valentines Day need to be expensive? You don't need to take your loved one on a fancy dinner, buy  him/her dozens of roses or  buy that over priced chocolate heart shaped velvet box they sell at the stores in the beginning of January.  Those are all not necessary.  Maybe just opt for a nice dinner, or just 3 roses,  or a bottle of wine and and a home made appetizer. Be creative.

My father has been giving my mother flowers and Valentines Day cards every year for as long as I can remember, and I remember thinking to myself that my father was the sweetest man alive and that I couldn't believe that he'd always remember to do those two little things for her every year. I think that is pretty amazing. My husband does the same gesture that my father does for my mother and I think it's because he knows that it was something I watched my father do for my mother growing up and it was something he wanted to replicate.  We don't do extravagant gifts, or uber fancy dinners, but we definitely make it a point to make a date night out of Valentines Day.  We take the time to celebrate us.  

​ I think it's absolutely wonderful that  society promotes love and romance on a certain day of the year because quite frankly, with our busy day to day lives, we can easily forget to show our lover how grateful, honoured and devoted we are to to be with them.  It's just a nice reminder. What's better than promoting a little love?  We all get sidetracked with huge work loads, kids, LIFE  and the list goes on.  Sometimes we just a need a  friendly reminder that we shouldn't take each other for granted, and Valentines Day has the ability to do that. ​  Do you agree with me ? 

Photo by: Mark Davis Photography