Today I made plans for my wife and I to see a dear friend of ours this coming Friday.
She reminded me it was “v-day” as she put in her text, and admittedly at first I had no idea what she was talking about. V-day could mean the global movement to end violence against women, or the political campaign organized by Beppe Grillo in Italy years ago. But the “v-day” she was referring to was Valentine’s Day – the supposed day of love.
Anyone who knows me is well aware that my wife and I do not celebrate Valentine’s Day. While many will spend far too much money trying to convince their significant other how their love can be measure in overpriced dinners, flowers and gifts, we refuse to adopt such a materialistic and commercialized view of true love.
As I told my friend, “every day is v-day in my house” – and that’s how it should be.
Impersonal expressions of love should not be expected, nor should they be purchased one day out of the year to show someone that you care. Love should be present 365 days in the little moments that two people share and the unconditional connection that forever bind two hearts together. Those are the days of love that will ultimately mean the most to us as the days turn into years.
I found this wonderful quote from The Notebook, written by Nicholas Sparks, that sums up the way I’m feeling.
“I am nothing special, of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts and I’ve led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I’ve loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough.”
