Celebrations of Life and Love

In about a week, the world celebrates Valentine's Day. I do not really have fond memories of this day as a teenager or in my early 20s because I was a late bloomer. When there was someone in my life, it was never around February (talk about luck, huh?). :D

I told myself that someday when I do have someone to share the day with, it will be special. Well, it was - a long distance relationship which led to marriage. The distance did not make the day any less special. We exchanged gifts and cards via post and chatted online.

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." -Helen Keller

Almost 10 years later, we have settled into an understanding that we will not make a big deal out of Valentine's Day. Frankly, it has becomes so commercialised (like Christmas) that sometimes the true meaning of the day is lost.

I rather celebrate my birthday (which falls four days before cupid makes his appearance) because everyday is Valentine's Day to me (except the days when the love of my life should be sleeping with one eye open). :P

"Young love is a flame; very pretty, often very hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. The love of the older and disciplined heart is as coals, deep-burning, unquenchable. " - Henry Ward Beecher

So, what do we do on my birthday? If it is a week day, he goes to work and I go shopping! I treat myself to something nice and buy a cake from the bakery and wait for the weekend to celebrate my birthday with a meal.

Now, what would it be like if I were living in Malaysia? Then, I think it would be slightly different - a not-so-quiet affair. Family and some faithful friends will insist on getting together. This was the norm when I was single. We had a special meal at home and then when the weekend came around, the old faithfuls would choose a spot in K.L. to make it an evening of food, cake and booze. No, I did not touch the booze because I was always the designated driver (birthday or otherwise). The times when I did drink were the nights when I was guaranteed a safe ride home.

So, coming back to Valentine's Day, did you know that 188 million Valentine's Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine's Day the second-most popular greeting-card-giving occasion? (This total excludes packaged kids valentines for classroom exchanges.) (Source: Hallmark research)

You can find more interesting facts at http://www.history.com/content/valentine/did-you-know

Oh .. and if you are looking for the history of Valentine's Day, check it out here.

Happy Valentine's Day to all who are celebrating it and Happy Any-Day-Is-A-Good-Day Day for those who choose to celebrate it another day.

And for those who got married on Valentine's Day, Happy Anniversary.

"Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward in the same direction." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery