Day of love and whatnot

What I have to say on the subject of Valentine's Day isn't really anything new. I've heard a lot of people voice complaints toward Valentine's Day for being a spending-based day that people go overboard on gestures instead of showing their loved ones genuine love all the time. I understand the sentiment that you shouldn't need an isolated day to remind you that you are loved / you love others. I get it, I do. But growing up, Valentine's Day was always different to me. 'Why?' you may ask. Well, reader, it's the day my mom was born.

Every year on Valentine's Day when I was a kid, I remember watching how my parents treated the double-holiday. I quickly grew to associate the two days — and 'Valentine's' love became entangled with the love I have for my mother and that she has for me. The day felt more authentic, because it didn't feel like we were celebrating a day of just roses and chocolate — we were celebrating a person.

With that ideology in place, I tend to enjoy Valentine's Day.

I am very fortunate to have a Valentine this year, as well as last year, but to us today doesn't define how we feel about one another any more than any other day. That being said, I'm still excited for the opportunity to celebrate our relationship. Any chance to show how much I care is a good one.

One of the longest-standing Valentine's Day traditions for me has actually to do with Meredith. For those who don't know, Meredith and I have been friends since I started pestering her on the first day of second grade. Six years ago, Meredith and I decided to have our own Valentine's Day — gal pal style. We went to the grocery store and bought up clearance chocolate, I believe a cake that was on sale, and heart-shaped glasses and cups. Then, we went to her house, ate to our heart's (ha) content, and watched 500 Days of Summer.

Mind you, this was before we had even seen the Parks + Recreation episode "Galentine's Day." Ever since that day, I've had a reformed sense of what sort of love you are supposed to celebrate on Valentine's Day. It can be romantic love. But it doesn't have to be. It can also be familial love, love between friends, self-love, whatever. And you don't need an extra day to show it ... but it doesn't hurt.

So today I dove in — I wished my mom a happy birthday, I reminded Ben that I love him, I took time to show my friends love, and myself love too.

Maybe tomorrow I'll run to the store and see a guy about some clearance chocolate.