I told him this week that I really didn't want to celerate it.  I had read this great article I believe by TOS' own Deborah Wuehler about her views on Valentine's Day and I had to admit, I agreed with her whole heartedly!!  So I told my DH the same thing!  This is what I told him (in a nutshell!).

Valentine's Day is not a day that I wish to get over excited about.  Every year it's the same thing, like Christmas on a much smaller scale.  The commercials are all geared toward women and what is the "guy" gonna do to "wow" his woman?  What exotic jewl?  What exotic place?  How about both?  And in the end if your "man" doesn't come through or up the anty from last year, he is a loser and you are a sad woman.  How on earth did this day become a day for women to become so self-absorbed?  How about some commercials that show women doing things for their hubby's?

 I can see it now.  An overworked loyal husband coming home from a dog day at the office, he's worn, he's tired, all he wants to is get to his family, he is beaten down and feeling haggard.  It's Valentine's Day and he knows he has forgotten to get something for his wife.  He's been on the road and flying from meeting to meeting, place to place, no time for anything other than work, work, work.  On the ride home he is desperate, he tries every store that is possible open but having had to catch the red-eye nothing is open.  He slumps into his car dejected.  He rides home waiting to get blasted from his wife for not bringing her anything.  What does he get greated with?  The porch light is off, he's thinking, "Oh man, I'm in the dog house."  But when he opens the door, she's there with a HUGE smile, dressed up, make-up on, hair fixed nice (the kids are either in bed already or at grandma's).  Since it is late she of coarse made hime his favorite, grilled steak, mashed potatoes!  She even has the BIG GAME recorded for him to watch while he eats!  But that is not all!!  She takes his hand as he drools over the big meal and leads him to the garage where she had a garage design team some in and re-do the ENTIRE garage for him!  Everything is PERFECT!  New tools, new holders and organizers!! Oh it's a feast for a man's eyes! he looks at his wife with a tear of gratitude in his eyes and then remembers he didn't get her anything, he immediately crumbles in his countenance and she says "What, what's the matter?  Aren't you happy?" as she searches his face, he admits that he tried and couldn't get her anything, she smiles a wry smile and says, "I already have the best, I have you."  they smooch, teh screens goes dark.

Ok.  So it probably wouldn't win anyone over to run to Sears or to GarageTek but honestly, since when is Valentine's only about women getting what they want?  We have men!!!  What about them?  I told my precious DH that I already had what I wanted, a hard-working, devouted hubby who loves me unconditionally and believe me, I can be a crab and a half!  Not always but let's face it, we all have those days, He does, I do, all of us.  However, he still loves me; he always has my best interests at heart.  I told him that I don't want a gift or fancy dinner, I just want dinner at home with our kids.  Our own little family Valentine's Day together.  I think he was happy!  Honestly, we never have done anything BIG for V-Day, usually a nice dinner out and a movie when there is anything worth seeing.  There hasn't been in years.  So we just enjoy each other anyway.  He brings home flowers and then we go out.  I usually have had my folks watch the boys and make them a nice Val. feast with decorations and everything.  NOT this year.  My folks aren't anywhere nearby anymore and honestly, I don't need a contrived evening out.  I always enjoy my DH's company and going out with just the two of us is WONDERFUL! However, we do that from time to time anyway and trying to make it more than what it is is uncomfortable for both of us.  We have Valentine's Day all year round!!!

My husband is such a great man and I am so in love with him that I feel like it's V-day all the time!  I don't need jewelry from him to win my heart, he already has it!  I only wish I could do the garage over for him but we don't have money for that or precious gems!  Heck, I only end up losing them or my kids break them or lose them.  I'm a house-working girl with boys, what on earth would I do with diamonds?

So, that is that.  I plan on loving my DH on V-day just like I always do.  I plan on making it fun for my family with a nice home cooked meal (like we have most days) and probably will do something different but fun.  I will decorate, we'll laugh and enjoy eachother's company!  Maybe play a board game and watch a great family movie.  Maybe you think that is dull but it's not the activities that make a day, it's the people that are in it and laughing with you that makes every day.

Enjoy your Valentine's Day.  If you can, try to think of your DH and what he would like, most likely, it's just you, happy.  Most men just want to know that their wives are happy and pleased with them as men and husbands.  Perhaps yours has moments where you'd like to strangle him with a string of hearts but you know, I'm sure he has felt that way about you too once in a while.  Instead of being self-absorbed this V-Day, try imaking it about him.  let him off the hook, atleast for this year.

Post your special V-day ideas and I do hope that it is filled with the most important Love of all, the love of Christ.  That too is another thing you have all year, why not give Him a special V-Day gift too, yourself.  Gee, that's two who just want you for their V-Day and every day.  Sounds like you could be very busy that day!! :)

Enjoy! ;)