The Valentine’s Day Curse

So, you think Valentine’s Day, you think love, puppies, hearts, chocolate, all things that are mushy, or whatever… However, I’m here to say, that some years ago, things went terribly wrong with Valentine’s day for me and my intended. Very wrong.

It began about nine or ten years into our relationship. Every time the calendar month changed to February, so did the tides of our attitudes with one another. It was as though we were entering into a time warp and as the fourteenth day of the month approached, we became more and more intolerant of each other. Without fail, the day in which all lovers celebrated with dinner, candy, and roses became our most dreaded. By then, we weren’t doing much communicating, other than a nod or a grunt for what we wanted for dinner. What was going on? Was he picking a fight not to have to endure the shopping for the perfect gift or searching for the prettiest card? No, he loved celebrating anything that involved buying me gifts and eating dinner out.

As time went on, when we saw the beginning of February approaching, we’d come to understand that Valentine’s day was off the menu. We wouldn’t even put it out there to the universe as something we were going to celebrate. Now, after much more time has passed, we’re just numb to the day. Valentine’s Day? So what. We’re not feeding the monster of strife.

We never uncovered the reason for our discontent for the thirteen days that led up to the day Cupid shoots arrows into lover’s hearts. Even our friends knew the deal, don’t mention V-day around those two.

I’m reporting now that not only did the curse seem to fade into the abyss, but so did the holiday. When February 14 arrives in our house, it’s more for our little ones who sign their folded Valentines to their friends at school. As for me and my lifelong boyfriend, we pay no attention to the candy, flowers, and packed restaurants. What we choose to ignore, shall remain ignored. And, that solves all the problems of February first through the thirteenth!