Happy Anna Howard Shaw Day!
If you know me at all, you probably know that I loathe Valentine’s Day, but not for the (horribly) stereotypical reasons of loneliness, jealousy, and cynicism (though I admit, I’m a cynic). In fact, it ranks second on my list of dumbest holidays ever, coming in behind Sweetest Day and right in front of New Years Eve. It’s a Hallmark holiday, hands down. It shouldn’t be about showing your significant other that you care—that should be evident the other 364 days of the year.
I’ve been anti-Valentine’s Day for a long time, and it’s often met by disbelief from the men (boys) I’ve dated. For instance, when I told my first real boyfriend that I didn’t want anything for Valentine’s Day, he stared at me for a full five seconds before asking if that was girl talk for “Buy me something or you die,” but I digress.
30 Rock did a just lovely introduction on Thursday between Tina Fey and a young girl selling Valentine’s Day cookies, so like Tina Fey, I will now be celebrating Anna Howard Shaw Day. And I’m going to celebrate it by doing homework and, if I get enough done, spending some time with my Xbox.
For those of you choosing to stay home (or stuck at home, as you may see it), I present, for your entertainment, what I’ve been enjoying on this here holiday. First, Pride and Prejudice in Emoticons, which covers both holidays fairly well. You’ve got a somewhat sweet and sappy love story, but you also have the story of a woman who dared do things her own way. (And did I mention the link is hillarious?) And second, courtesy of my dad, I have a column from the Lansing State Journal on the dreaded Valentine’s Day Box in elementary school classrooms, which sort of gets at my point of the whole ridiculousness of this holiday. (Though by the time I was in elementary school, you either gave valentines to everyone or to no one; that changed in middle school though, three years during which I never received a Valentine from a male.)
I have to say that I totally disagree. To me, it can’t be a Hallmark holiday unless Hallmark actually invented it (like Sweetest Day). Saint Valentine’s Day was established by the Catholic Church and based on the (incorrect?) idea that St. Valentine was executed for being a Christian and/or secretly marrying young lovers at a time where it was forbidden by the Romans.
To me, it’s an excuse to go on a date with with my husband. We don’t need to be forced to once a year, but it’s nice anyway.
I guess I said it incorrectly. To a lot of people it’s become a Hallmark holiday, and all the commercials would have you believe that (1) women are all gold diggers who MUST get chocolates/flowers/jewelry, and (2) if you don’t get her something, you must not love her. I totally support (well, that’s not the right word, because it’s not really my place) people that use the day to remember and honor your love. In my book, spending time together > material things.
In that case I think we have enough common ground to not debate the particulars any more. By the way, I love that you watch 30 Rock. We seriously need to talk more often.
I actually don’t watch 30 Rock, but I caught the first few minutes of that episode and thought it was hilarious. But I just don’t have the time to devote to another television show right now. Sadly.
And I was going to call you yesterday but then remembered it was Valentines Day and that it would probably be more tactful if I waited until another day.