TO CELEBRATE OR NOT CELEBRATE: THAT IS THE QUESTION

by Belle Vandermeer

For the romantics, there’s nothing to debate. Of course we need to celebrate February 14^tth. Valentine’s Day. The day of love.

For the cynics, it’s a load of commercial do-do. No celebration required. Me, I think its what you make of it. Certainly, the retail and hospitality sector want us to part with our hard-earned dollars, so, in that sense, it is commercial. But its also a day where we can be reminded to show the person we love just how much we do care. It’s a day where we can spoil them.

Life is so busy. We work. We pay our bills. Some of us shepherd our children to various sports and out of school activities and, somehow, even our ‘play’ can become an extra burden. How to fit it all in? The pace of modern life is hectic. So hectic, it’s easy to forget to show our loved ones how much we cherish them.

I’ll be honest, for many years I sat back and waited to see how my husband would spoil me. How would he surprise me? I’m a tad ashamed that it took me a few years to realise how selfish that was of me. Valentine’s Day was not just about me. It was about him too.

When I had my epiphany, I realised I needed to adjust my focus.  The question I should have been asking was, “What does my love for him look like?” 

Next stop… Google! As I surfed the net for some ideas for hubby, I found myself reading about Valentine’s Day around the world. I discovered some interesting things.

In Malaysia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Pakistan Valentine’s Day has been banned. You read that right. Banned. And not just banned. Celebrating Valentine’s Day with flowers, chocolates, or a glass of wine could result in severe punishment. Kind of makes me appreciate living in our beautiful little corner of the world.

Though, perhaps, we should take a leaf out of the Argentinean’s book. One day to celebrate love isn’t enough for them. They take a whole week to celebrate Valentine’s Day and if that isn’t enough, they also set aside seven days in July for “sweetness week”!

As I write my little ode to Valentine’s Day, I’m waiting for the glue to dry on my handmade card. It’s a thing of beauty! (At least in the eye of this beholder!) It’s believed that we can thank the French for the first-ever Valentine’s Day. Apparently, Charles, the Duke of Orleans, sent love missives to his wife from prison in 1415.

If you don’t have someone to spoil on this day of love, if you’re carrying the burden of loneliness or hurt, please consider celebrating love in other forms – love of children, love of friends, a pet.

Celebrate the giving of love, perhaps, most of all, to yourself. So, in 2025 I choose to celebrate on Valentine’s Day – I celebrate love in all its guises.

Now, to leave you with a smile. What would Valentine’s Day be without a Rose are Red rhyme?

Roses are red, violets are blue; in the words of Tay Tay, look what you made me do.