2008 Woodie Awards
Don't hate Valentine's Day
Meg Keefe and Dana Hanson
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Entertainment
02/14/08 - So today is Valentine's Day, which means that the next 24 hours will be filled with handholding couples performing romantic gestures for each other while exchanging heart shaped boxes of chocolate.
For singles it is at times nauseating to watch. We need to break free from the notion that Valentine's Day is reserved for couples. It is time for singles to embrace this day too.
We understand how easy it is to become bitter toward this holiday if you are not in a relationship. We will both publicly announce that we have never had a valentine. That makes 19 years of surviving this day unattached - and even though we have had a resentment-filled relationship with the holiday, we are coming clean and giving Valentine's Day a new image.
We are living proof that, coupled or not, there is still love to be made onValentine's Day. No, we are not alluding to a random V-Day sexcapade, but rather suggesting that you create your own love: hand out valentines to your friends, make it a point to wish "that cutie" a happy Valentine's Day. In short, spread the love however you see fit. After all, is that not what today is really about?
Nowhere is it written that this day is just for the "exclusive couples" love. This holiday is for love of any kind.
The purpose of Valentine's Day has become misconstrued in today's society that its history could be summarized by many in just a few words: ancient Rome, some saint named Valentine, blah blah blah, chocolate and roses.
We have nothing against this view - it is what time does to all stories: they get paraphrased. But the underlying theme no matter what has nothing to do with Tiffany's or Hallmark cards.
When did Valentine's Day become about buying gifts and all the unnecessary stress associated with the holiday? Valentine's Day needs to be brought back to the people and the relationships, be it with boyfriend or dog.
Couples are under the impression that they must buy gifts and go out to five-star restaurants to please their significant other. As we see it, why don't you do something unique for your relationship?
Go out and do something you both enjoy doing besides getting dressed up and sitting in a stuffy restaurant with every other couple in town. If your "boo" is into music check out a concert or if your girl is into the outdoors go for a walk together. If just renting a movie and making dinner together is your thing, do it up. Try to make the day yours, because we are sure that khakis are not for all guys out there.
For singles it is at times nauseating to watch. We need to break free from the notion that Valentine's Day is reserved for couples. It is time for singles to embrace this day too.
We understand how easy it is to become bitter toward this holiday if you are not in a relationship. We will both publicly announce that we have never had a valentine. That makes 19 years of surviving this day unattached - and even though we have had a resentment-filled relationship with the holiday, we are coming clean and giving Valentine's Day a new image.
We are living proof that, coupled or not, there is still love to be made onValentine's Day. No, we are not alluding to a random V-Day sexcapade, but rather suggesting that you create your own love: hand out valentines to your friends, make it a point to wish "that cutie" a happy Valentine's Day. In short, spread the love however you see fit. After all, is that not what today is really about?
Nowhere is it written that this day is just for the "exclusive couples" love. This holiday is for love of any kind.
The purpose of Valentine's Day has become misconstrued in today's society that its history could be summarized by many in just a few words: ancient Rome, some saint named Valentine, blah blah blah, chocolate and roses.
We have nothing against this view - it is what time does to all stories: they get paraphrased. But the underlying theme no matter what has nothing to do with Tiffany's or Hallmark cards.
When did Valentine's Day become about buying gifts and all the unnecessary stress associated with the holiday? Valentine's Day needs to be brought back to the people and the relationships, be it with boyfriend or dog.
Couples are under the impression that they must buy gifts and go out to five-star restaurants to please their significant other. As we see it, why don't you do something unique for your relationship?
Go out and do something you both enjoy doing besides getting dressed up and sitting in a stuffy restaurant with every other couple in town. If your "boo" is into music check out a concert or if your girl is into the outdoors go for a walk together. If just renting a movie and making dinner together is your thing, do it up. Try to make the day yours, because we are sure that khakis are not for all guys out there.