songs for your valentine.

happy Valentine's Day, my dear readers!  help yourself to some raspberry Hugs and tell someone you love him/her [or tell everyone!].

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here's the things that irritates me about Valentine's Day: why must everyone be so cynical about such a well-meaning celebration?  this goes out to all of you who are bitter because you're chronically single or because the holiday is too commercial, and to those of you who like to take this opportunity to get up on your soapbox and complain that every day should be Valentine's Day when you're with someone you love.  and from a certain standpoint, you're right - you should never hesitate to remind someone you love him/her.  but is it so wrong to earmark one day out of the year as a celebration of love?  to give your other half a day to feel extra special?

and to those of you who are unattached haters - get over it.  maybe the fact that you can be so bitter about such an innocent holiday is why you're now in the position of watching another Valentine's pass by with no special plans.  to me, Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrating all types of love, be it romantic, platonic, familial, or otherwise.  I love this holiday, and I always have.  I view it as an opportunity to bake something sweet [like cupcakes!] and distribute them to people I love.

also, to the men who love to complain about Valentine's Day [like the friend on Facebook who referred to it as "Extortion Day"] - no one is making you participate in the commercial, cliché aspect of the holiday.  you can find other, more personalized ways to remind your lady friend that you care and that you think she's something special.  you don't have to buy heart-shaped boxes of chocolates or crazy flower arrangements or a super fancy night out.  because even though she'll eat the chocolates or admire the flowers, I would be willing to bet good money that you'll get a better reaction out of a more personal gift.

so basically, my point is this: quit complaining.  quit hating.  just embrace the love that flows so abundantly on Valentine's Day.

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