February 14^th, one of the most hated and loved days of the year. Condom sales are up, there are more November birthdays, and restaurants are booming with reservations. Does anyone stop to think how ridiculous this made up holiday is?

It’s SO cheesy. There are red hearts, balloons, flowers, chocolates and teddy bears thrown up across every aisle in stores. Why is this the one and only day of the year couples are forcing themselves to go to dinner. Social media taunts couples or soon-to-be couples with unreal dates that will never be accomplished on only one day of the year.

If you are really only showing this kind of appreciation for one another one day of the year, you truly don’t understand what love is. Just knowing how I take my coffee and a kiss at breakfast should be enough to light up anyone’s day. Just the smile everyday of your person should be enough to keep your heart full.

Women shouldn’t need justification with a huge bouquet of flowers. Yeah, chocolate is nice but let’s go get a pint of ice cream from the grocery store and cuddle over a movie. Oh balloons, let’s suck the helium out and laugh at how ridiculous we sound. Stuffed animals? I’m not 5 anymore. How about instead you just kiss me and tell me you love me, and we’ll call it even this Valentine’s Day?

Say you do show your affection each day throughout the year and this Valentine’s Day you want to make some grand gesture, just because. Why not try something a little less materialistic? I want experiences not objects or flowers that will one-day die. I don’t want my “bae” to waste money on me just because society says, okay today’s February 14^th. Go to Wal-Mart and get me a big teddy bear and flowers. There’s too much pressure being put on February 14^th. Let’s ease back on the heavy purchases of “things” and spend more on the effort of making memories that are a little more sentimental.

Make me dinner. Send me a sweet text when I’m at work. Hug me close at night. People forget the details, the little things that make life big. February 14^th is no special day to me. Everyday is special with someone who loves me.

But sending your mom flowers on Valentine’s Day, that’s a different ballgame.