Valentine's Day

"Happy Valentine's Day" is the refrain across North America today.  The florists do a booming business.  Hallmark card sales skyrocket,  Chocolate is consumed by the pound.  People proclaimed their for each other in creative and imaginative ways.  Romance is in the air!
  Valentine's Day is also a minefield.  Someone forgets and the beloved is disappointed. Those who are single feel marginalized and often find solace in a gallon of gourmet ice cream.  Over the years I have experienced wonderful Valentine Days and heartbreaking ones.  I have had a boyfriend or husband and I have been single.  This year I am single and I didn't feel like resorting to the ice cream solution.
   I have learned to spoil myself.  Several years ago, when I did have a significant other I decided a few days before Valentine's to buy myself a dozen beautiful pink roses.  With great delight, I took them home and placed them in a lovely cut glass vase in the center of the dining room table.  Said boyfriend, who lived far away in another country, happened to be in town on February 14.  He walked in, empty handed, and noticed the flowers.  His face twisted into a confused look and trying to hide it, he asked who gave me the roses.  I replied I had bought them for myself.  The next look was priceless.  He couldn't quite grasp the idea.  Occasionally during the evening, I could see him looking at the fragrant flowers with a puzzled look.  I don't think it ever made sense to him.
   My Valentine's tradition now, whether a male is around or not, is to do something loving and special for myself.  I can count on me and then if someone else contributes to the festivities it is a bonus.  Today,  I tidied up, put clean sheets on the bed, took a bubble bath and read a good book.  It was a lovely time.  As I wandered through the grocery store watching the men line up at the floral counter, I simply smiled and was happy that their wives/girlfriends were getting flowers.  The best part of the shopping event was seeing an elderly couple holding hands as they tried to decide what kind of chocolate they wanted to take home.
    Valentine's Day is so much easier when I take it into my own hands!  It takes the pressure off and I can actually enjoy the whole cheesy event.  Oh, I forgot to mention I did get chocolate as well!  On days like these, I start to think I might be on my way to learning to growing up.