One Commercial Event Over, Get Ready For The Next

I went into town today.

I went to the local WH Smith for a few things, including a birthday card. As I perused the the cards my eye happened to fall on a display that was being put together. I held back the spew of expletives that desperately wanted to greet the air and turn it blue. What caused this slightly
nutso reaction ?

Valentines cards.

New Year is barely passed (hey I'm Scottish) and most peoples bank accounts are still suffering the after effects of Christmas but the shops are gearing up to try and rip more of our hard earned cash from us. Well not me, Boyfriend and I don't do Valentine's Day. We tend to prefer to tell each other that we love each other and just how much when ever we feel like it. If we want to buy each other a gift we'll do that when we feel like it too.

People almost recoil in horror when I tell them we don't do anything on the 14th of February to "celebrate our love". It seems that some people think that as long as you do Valentine's Day, the gifts, the cards, the flowers, going out for a meal that romance is pretty covered and your relationship secure. It seems like they put so much effort into that one day to show their partner, and the world, that everything is good. Here's a tip, free of charge; work at your relationship all the time, and it will very rarely need any great effort; tell them you love them when it pops into your head, especially if it's at a really unromantic time.

Bollocks to Valentine's Day.