Dear WB:
I know Valentine’s Day has not been your favorite occasion, especially when you were single, but hopefully this hallmark mandated celebration will bring a smile to your face now that your life has significantly changed. But consider this: if Hallmark had not commercialized romantic love and assigned it a date, when else would committed couples acknowledge their love, other than on an anniversary date?
I want to use this platform and this occasion to say thank you for all the little and big ways that you show your love for me every day, not just on Valentine’s Day, or our anniversary.
Thank you, my love, for working hard 40 hours a week so that I can stay home to care for our baby son. Thank you for buying another swing for him since he is outgrowing the others. Thank you for doing the lion’s share of the grocery shopping and then filling my gas tank. Thank you for shoveling the sidewalks and scraping my car when it snows. Thank you for doing our taxes. Thank you for encouraging me to take a creative nonfiction writing workshop. Thank you for giving me grace and being patient during my “attempting-to-make-a-meal-blunders.” Thank you for the tasty meals you make.
You already buy me chocolate on a regular basis and you’ve already bought me the silk version of my favorite flower, so what more could I ask?
Happy Valentine’s Day
Like most people I don’t like being told what to do. The Hallmark mandate that I love you on February 14th for twice the price is aggravating. However, you are correct, if Hallmark had not commercialized love and assigned it a date then when else would men who otherwise find it difficult to say those three magic words be able to express their love? So perhaps, there is value to Valentine’s Day for pigheaded, stubborn, judgmental, critical husbands (and I’m really no different) to be able to say “I love you” and attempt to acknowledge our wives for all they do for us and our families too.
You say “so what more could I ask?” You shouldn’t have to ask at all. I should be giving love without you asking and I should be telling you I love you on a regular basis. It’s a shame that we men need a designated day to remind us to say I love you!
It is true, I love you too. It is true you are a good mother. It is true you are even a better wife. What is not true are your attempts-to-make-a-meal-blunders …. keep up the good work; you are a better cook than you give yourself credit for!
Love you,
Your WB