All you need is love: A letter to the Valentine's Day hater.

Dear Valentine's Day Hater,

What's wrong with you? I just don't get it. What do you have against Cupid's holiday? Come on now, don't roll your eyes at me. Yes, I have heard that one before, "it's a Hallmark holiday." Please. Don't you think most of our holidays are fairly commercial these days? Cadbury eggs, Black Friday, $20 for your kid's picture with Santa, Halloween super stores, Mother's Day brunch at the Holiday Inn. Why pick on Valentine's Day? It has legitimate meaning. Yes it does. Stop rolling your eyes! Okay, you're right about the Shane Company ads, they are a bit relentless, but I don't want or expect the pricey jewelery. And the overpriced, mass-produced fix priced Sweetheart dinners on February 14, I can also do without. But Mr. Hater, I think that you may be missing the point.

Valentine's Day is about love, and I adore it. It's an excuse to show the people we care about the most how we feel. It isn't just for lovers, it's for friends and children. One of my favorite Valentine's Day memories is actually receiving a heart shaped box of Russel Stovers candies from my mother every year. It seemed so fancy with it's red cellophane, I had no idea it was actually a cheap treat, it was special to me. I have always loved the Valentine cards as well. The ones with puppy dogs and kittens that I would receive in the mail from my grandparents, and later the sentimental cards my husband now gives me. He always writes a thoughtful, sweet message, and I save them all. What's wrong with that?

Oh you have a problem with the flowers. Dumb red roses that cost twice as much on Valentine's Day, and are usually half dead. Knock, knock nobody said you had to buy roses, there are a lot of other varieties of flowers. My husband has sent me many different bouquets over the years, and I have to admit there is a thrill to getting them on that special day. So what? You don't buy a tree for Christmas? A poinsettia perhaps?

Bottom line Mr. Hater, there is a lot to love about the holiday. Shiny red and silver Hershey kisses, handmade valentines from your kids, cupcakes with pink frosting, candle lit dinners, special time with a significant other.

Mr. Valentine's Day Hater, let me show you how it is done. I do Valentine's Day up right. This year, I hosted a small pre-Valentine's Day gathering for a few good friends and their children. We had good food and lots of red and white flare, it was a nice excuse for a party. My sons (in addition of course to my husband) are my little valentines, and I am going to treat them to their very own Russel Stovers candies this year. Finally this Monday night the kid's are attending a Valentine's Day party at the children's museum while we go on a double date with some friends. No we are not going to a fancy French bistro, rather we will dining on Indian food and we won't be spending a fortune, thank you very much. Now if my husband chooses to send me flowers....so be it.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love,

Cupid's Biggest Fan