What's Love Got to Do With it?

Fantastic.

Now that that blasted occation is done and over with, I can finally breathe again and get on with my life.

I think my view of Valentine's day mirrors Charlie Brown's feelings towards Christmas, when he said "I know nobody likes me. Why do we have to have a holiday season to emphasize it?" I'm sure most likely I'll think differently about this day when I start dating again, but as it stands now, the day sucks. It reminds me, in such a /loving/ way that I'm single and though I'm usually fine with that through the rest of the year, on Feburary 14th, I am alone.

I suppose I should be grateful I don't live in some places like Japan, where if you /are/ given a gift on Valentine's Day, a month later you must return the favour on White day, but the return gift as to be ten times the price (I think, I forget the exact exchange). Yes, I am indeed thankful.

But, why does there have to be a Valentine's Day? We all know it was the card and flower companies' idea to get more money. Shouldn't we show our love to those who we care about all year 'round? I guess that would be too simple or too logical. We must have a special day on the calender to devote time to each other.

How very sad.

The word 'love' has seemed to lost meaning in today's society. People say that they love chocolate, or a song, or a television show. But most importantly, they love their boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse and will stay true until the end of their days.... or until someone better comes along.

Yes, I know that was a horrible thing to say, but then why is the divorce rate rising? Why is it that 1 out of 3 marriages end in divorce and Common Law relationships are on the rise? Why? If you ask Common Law partners why they didn't get married, the most common answer will be it's cheaper and it's easier to move in together.

But, deep down inside, I believe that the reason Common Law relationships are more popular than before is because they are easier to get out of if the relationship goes belly up. Since there's no wedding and no vows are broken, it's all good. Bring on the next partner.

Love is in a sad state these days and in our throw-away society, why not add it to the pile? Love is expendable, so toss it away like yesterday's garbage. It's not worth it.

For those of you who haven't seen the romantic comedy 'Love Actually', the movie shows different vignettes of relationships and how love is everywhere. But really, movie should say that it's about people's view of love, for one story, all one guy wants is sex. One can have sex without feeling any love for their partner. That is not love, that's called lust; there's a difference, but sadly most people don't know of it.

I know there is real love out there, I've seen it. Sure, it isn't the storybook love, or love at first sight, but it's there. Just have to really look for it.

Gee, I guess I am glad I am single. I'll just have to patiently wait for the real thing to come along and send me to cloud nine.