I think this is the first Valentine's Day in our relationship that Sam and I aren't really participating in. I did get him a couple of cards, and I plan on writing some personal messages in them, but we aren't going out to dinner, and we're not doing gifts. I told Sam not to get me flowers, and I meant it. It wasn't coy flirting or anything like that. Part of it is money; we don't have a lot of that to spend on fripperies. I definitely nixed the flowers based on the money thing. However much he would have spent we can happily spend on something else, like a very expensive anniversary dinner. (You better believe that I'm going to try to make the Custom House our anniversary tradition, as long as we can afford to spend that on one big meal.) Also, part of me just thinks we're doing pretty good to just not NEED Valentine's Day. The first few were kind of exciting--a sort of day to show your partner just how much you love them and want them around.
But now that we live together, I sort of feel like that every day. We're not unaffectionate people, and I'm pretty vocal about such things. I mean, I'm no ice queen. And in terms of presents, well, I could easily get Sam a small gift certificate to a camera store, but I again feel like I'd rather save up this occasion's money, and spend it on the anniversary gift. The anniversary is really more special anyway, because that's the day we decided to be together, not the arbitrary day society wants us to celebrate our relationship. And I love flowers, but I think I'll just make him buy them for me from the Green Market in the summer, when my favorite brain flowers are everywhere. They'll be cheaper, and I'll love them just as much. I guess what we're talking about here is delayed gratification. We'll both be getting something on our anniversary, and by letting this one pass us by, we'll be getting more on that day.
But I'm no V-Day grinch, I swear. I've always kind of had a soft spot for V-Day, and I'm sort of surprised by how sincere I was about the no gifts, no big dinner, no flowers thing I imposed this year. I even asked Sam last night, "You're not going to surprise me with some present, are you? Because I'm really not getting anything for you and I don't want to be the lame one. I'll have to make you some stupid coupon book quickly to make up for it, and that would just be the worst." He allayed my fears, so it looks like we really are just exchanging cards and doing something low-key. Phew.
And the title of this post is correct. I'm not wearing red. In fact, I'm wearing an outfit composed of nearly all black. I'm the Valentine's Day vampire, apparently. I honestly sort of forgot it was V-Day until I came into work and saw one of the staff wearing a Hershey's Kiss pin. Then I remembered and realized I was dressed strikingly wrong for the day. Ah well, it doesn't bother me, and it sort of fits this year's low key theme.
Still, have a Happy Valentine's Day.
Update: Okay, I'm going to have to eat my words. Sam sent me the most gorgeous roses--yellow and maroon--and I can't deny the thrill I got from seeing them for the first time. So low-key, maybe, but I can't say I don't love the flowers. I do.
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