VD4U

[penpusher]

I've never had a Valentine on Valentine's Day.

That sounds pathetic, doesn't it? And I'm not counting my mom, which really would be pathetic.

But, it's actually true. Though I've had relationships that have lasted more than a year, for some reason, they were always on the skids come Feb. Fourteen.

I've only had one legitimately happy VD in my life, and even THEN I didn't have an actual valentine. I was in fourth grade and my mom (who was also a grade school teacher) saw a design for a valentine mailbox in a book she had of things to do to celebrate the holidays.

For some reason, she was unusually enamored, for lack of a better word, with the idea of making this mailbox, from construction paper, cardboard tubing and boxes, paste and those doily papers, do you know the ones?

We actually assembled the mailbox together. I cut out hearts and sized the red and purple paper to cover the box, then pasted it in place. It had a big heart sitting on top of the box which I actually carefully cut out myself.

When we were done, it looked EXACTLY like the one in the picture. Better, because it was in 3D. It was, perhaps, our greatest accomplishment together.

Then, on Valentine's Day, I brought the box into the classroom, and my teacher was absolutely delighted! And I was delighted, since I had a gigantic crush on her!

Because there was a mailbox, everyone dumped their cards inside, and I got to be the mailman, or retroactively, the "valentine carrier!" It was the most fun I've ever had on a Valentine's Day, and I didn't even get that many Valentines.

I've got a few "non" Valentines stories... stories about "Valentines" that basically didn't happen at Valentine's Day. The first of these that comes to mind took place at summer camp, right after I hit puberty.

There was a party with the girls camp across the way, and just like Rudolph's reindeer games, we got our first taste of what being a man-child was all about at the event.

A square dance! Yee haw! So, we all headed on our bus to the site and hung around to see what the girls were all about. There were these two big lines as we were asked to pair up. I lined up in front of a really cute girl, and another boy wanted to ask her to be his partner, but she made sure that I was the one. I felt embarrassed, because I could see that the other guy really wanted to be her partner, but I got her.

I had never square danced but she had and she was really nice about helping through the steps.

There was a moment when I realized... I liked her!

With the caller shouting the instructions to us, I couldn't really talk to her, despite being in her arms, despite looking into her eyes. It was a moment for the ages.

I figured she didn't really like me, but she was definitely kind to let me dance with her, and I never forgot that, even though I never even got her name.

Later, the boy who wanted to dance with her had sidled in and was chatting with her after all. She smiled at me and waved as I rejoined my bunkmates for the bus ride back to camp.

So, yet another VD with no V for me.

Why is my Jukebox playing "Cherish" by Madonna?

Comments

[gruyere.livejournal.com]

I know the feeling, except at least you got a dance once. I got nothin'.

And the song on my own jukebox right now is Meat Loaf's "I Would Do Anything For Love," so interpret that as you will. :)

[lizerk.livejournal.com]

Heh- I'm at the gym and the satellite's playing tired old Dixie Chicks... "Leaving me Breathless."

If you were here, I'd make you my Valentine. (or, if I were in NY) My Valentine's Days have been interesting every year... But in funny ways... like having a girlfriend one year, seeing a guy the next, blind date, stalker... so just imagine the insanity of Valentine's spent with me! Ha! All this could be yours...!! >;)

[sweet-evil.livejournal.com]

So were you one of those guys who always came up with problems around Vday? I cant even count the times I was dating someone, and he would create a mystery problem for the month of February, so we wouldn't have to do V-day...
Always thought he was so smooth... lol

[doeadear.livejournal.com]

Valentines Day is a horribly cruel day.

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

I won't do that, Seth!

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

Liz! That's really sweet!

Wow, what a great book you've got there. Or movie script or play... Sort of a "Same Time Next Year" only with a different person every time!

Wishing you love!

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

No! I never intentionally did anything like that. In fact, there were a couple of times when I was sure that this was it and I really would have a valentine, but she broke up with me a couple of weeks before!

I'm actually still in contact (albeit occasionally) with one of those break up women, who since got married. She couldn't commit... to me!

[penpusher.livejournal.com]

It's an artificially created day, to force you to purchase items to express your love. Invariably, it's bad, because you either don't get a valentine (*Charlie Brown waiting by the mailbox*) or you get one you don't want (Hi, stalkers!), or you feel obligated to spend a lot of money on the one you have because "it's the right thing to do." (anybody in a relationship).

It's just a well orchestrated method to keep those who are unhappy spending money: For candy, for flowers, for strippers... etc.

Hope your Valentines is a good one, Doe!

[doeadear.livejournal.com]

I've always been rather vocal on my dislike of Valentine's Day for many reasons., most of which you listed. And, I've been in a relationship for 20 years, and I worked in a department of ladies who were all married, and some of them got elaborate bouquets, some got nothing...and then the men would say, "oh look at what she got, her husband is earning points..." bbla blalalala. And you know, it's like a show, for one thing. "Look I have someone! HA HA!" and I have someone, too, are we keeping score? Besides that is the subtle hint that the man who bestows trinkets upon his beloved is gonna get LAID that night...this is such total bullshit. Are we hookers? DON'T GET ME STARTED!