I have a confession. I don’t like Valentine’s Day. It’s a commercial day where the flower, chocolate, and diamond industries collude to make the average rani believe real love comes from a dozen roses and diamond earrings.
That’s total BS. Love isn’t about materialism. Love is about your family, your children, your husband, your parents, your pets, and even your friends.
Last year, my husband and I spent our first post-wedding Valentine’s stuck in the Kolkata airport for seven hours. And a fire alarm went off for three hours. Thank god we had a deck of cards and a tiny Cafe Coffee Day booth selling coffee and samosas!
This year, we are going to have a couple friends over, make some crepes, drink champagne, and toast to a new year, great friends, and lost loves.
I am thankful for all the love my parents have bestowed upon me for decades. And for the friends I have. These are my Valentines for 2012.
Husband – because he just is awesome
Bubbles – our new, silly bunny
Dad – for going through the hardest year of his life and to come out on the other side.
Friends – There isn’t enough love and gratefulness I have for my friends.
My lost loves: Bunny and Mom. You two are the biggest hearts in my life. I love and miss you everyday.
This Valentine’s day and everyday, celebrate the days with those you love. Leave the chocolates and red roses in the bin, and tell the industry, “it’s my day with my loved ones to spend it as I please, not to follow your commercialized rules.”