Valentines

I am not a huge fan of Valentine's Day and other days whose celebration seem to have been taken over by Hallmark and major commercialism. I am not opposed to a day for celebrating love and friendships, but I really don't think that men should be pressured into buying their girlfriends/wives chocolate/flowers/etc. and taking them out to the theater/dinner/dancing. These gestures are much more meaningful when undertaken spontaneously or replaced by a more personalized expression of love. And I'm sure that I am not the only one who hated being forced to "send" Valentines to every student in the class each year in elementary school. Furthermore, the self-pitying, anti-love attitude than many single women adopt this time of year is annoying. I can be happy for all of my friends who are in love, even if I don't have a beau myself.
This week I will be reading Robert Sabuda's Saint Valentine to my class this week. It nicely tells one of the myths surrounding the origins of this much abused holiday. And the mosaic-esque illustrations are lovely.

However, I bought into the Hallmark side of Valentine's day this year. As a small effort to cheer myself up this week, I bought cards to send to my friends and family this week. Breaking out the colored pens and heart stickers was a nice distraction. And hopefuuly finding the pink envelope among the bills and junk mail this week will bring them some cheer too. (My apologies to the guys who will be receiving girly envelopes.)
I think I'll need to find a red envelope to participate in the Pro-Life Presidential Valentine Campaign as well. It sounds like a simple way to continue to speak for those who don't have to opportunity to speak for themselves.