You know, Tuffgirl, I was just thinking that about Valentine's day. Christmas, yeah there's a lot of commercialism, but there are enough of the traditions left to make it feel a little nostalgic and a celebration of more than just buying (drinking eggnog by the fire, making ornaments, baking cookies, singing carols...).
But Valentine's Day, it feels like it's just about buying cards, candy. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of togetherness. But then, I think I'm really letting the relationship with XAH color that; maybe I'd feel differently about the holiday if I'd had a decent BF: Married almost 10 years, together 16, maybe 2 special dates, flowers once. Once. Oh, I forgot the time we went to the bar with the rugby team. 3 Valentine's Day dates in 16 years. Woo. Don't even get me started on wedding anniversaries. Good lord, I must have loved that man.
Upside: DS and I are going to make Valentine's for the family and his school doesn't do the whole exchange thing. Or at least they didn't in pre-school. Should check that... But I figure that's a good antidote for the commercialism and puts some thought into the cards.
Another February upside: Another beautiful day in gorgeous AK. Clear blue skies; still fresh snow on the mountains, and it's SUNNY. I could sit here all day with a cup of coffee or cocoa in hand and just look out the window while pretending to read a book.