Happy Valentine's Day, AKA. . .

Happy "You better hope you have someone in your life because your singlehood and loneliness will be magnified by the excessive hyping by media of the importance to throw stacks of money towards consumer outlets in order to properly display your love to your significant other -- which if you're single, you wouldn't have, thus just get to be a spectator that cries acidic tears into your coffee."

Or something like that.

So yeah, Valentine's Day is a complete invention, so that retail stores and restaurants can make oodles of money by making one feel obligated that they need to buy something in order to properly display that they care about someone, and feel even more forced into the situation because they know everyone will be comparing notes the next day on who got the biggest mountain of chocolates, most expensive dinner, and shiniest new item. But you know what, I actually don't see the difference between this 'holiday' and any other holiday that gets a lot less flack (or consumer created traditions like buying a diamond ring to display your commitment). Yes, I realize I can and should let Emily know that I love her every single day. And no, I don't need a specially designated day to buy her special gifts or a take her out for a nice dinner. But I also shouldn't need a special day to buy presents for family members or get together as a family for some delicious turkey or to show appreciation for my country or to remember the veterans who fought for our freedoms. But we do. It doesn't mean you only do those things on those designated days, but rather it is just a special day that is devoted to that particular thing. I don't think there is anything wrong with that.

In the end, for any special day you can choose to plug your ears, close your eyes and hum really loudly until it all goes away, or you can try to make the most out of the day. You can go all anti day or you can just embrace it by trying to show some extra appreciation to someone in your life that you care about. Whatever you decide to do, I hope you have yourself the spiffiest of Mondays.