I Heart Peer Pressure

I don't think anyone really gets into Valentines Day except for girls who feel like nothing is real unless it is ridiculously expensive and can be seen from a mile away. The rest of us just put up with the rituals surrounding this bizarre occasion. I do get a kick out of the fact that this is the only holiday where everyone is forced to "show their hand" like they're all playing in a poker tournament. What do you have? A dozen roses? That gets beat by the secretary two cubes over with the "exotic" bouquet... which ultimately gets beat by the lady who gets the 4 foot tall arrangement, Godiva chocolates, diamond tennis bracelet, and dinner reservation at the fancy French restaurant. Of course, if you're playing the game with younger people... it gets a little harder to score. You have to give points for creativity - the poems and the handmade cards... etc. In the end, everybody leaves the game a little more dissatisfied with their significant other.

I think my favorite V-day memory would have to be from a couple years back. I was walking out of the business school at UT, and this guy was walking towards the school with a bouquet in his hand - not the typical dozen roses - the quirky one... with tulips and daisies etc. It just made me smile because I was thinking "hey, his girlfriend is really going to like those"... and at that moment, we made eye contact and he got this big smile on his face. It was like he knew what I was thinking, and at the same time, he was so excited to surprise his girlfriend with the flowers that he couldn't help but smile. I like moments like that.

Okay, enough sappy stuff. I don't want you to get the wrong impression. I side with those who think that this is a Hallmark holiday - purely commercial. I just like to find the amusing side of everything.

For those of you who have someone in your lives you feel pressure to spend money on today... at least allow us single people to maintain the illusion that you are having a wonderful time with your perfect soulmate. Don't tell me there's no dream guy (Alina!!). I actually know that he's out there... I'm just dealing with the fact that I have no chance :)