A Fair Defense of Valentines Day Haters

Haters everywhere would cordially like to wish you a Happy Singles Awareness Day!

As I sit here blogging in my St. Patrick's Day t-shirt, it occurs to me that Valentines Day is one of those holidays that raises the ire of some people. It's odd that a day devoted to love could inspire just the opposite. Thanks, Godiva!

I feel that too often, though, the V-Day haters are accused of just being jaded single people and the recently dumped. This demographic, by the way, could single-handedly jumpstart the economy if 2am liquor runs were feasible. I feel that, often being in the former crowd myself, I can step in and defend every sore loser who wears black on Valentines Day as he peruses this week's SI Swimsuit Edition and munches on Sweethearts (ladies, just substitute Cosmo. For reading material, not food).

The sentiment behind Valentines Day is a good one. That one day a year is set aside to give special prominence to romance seems appropriate. I don't think many people would argue that love isn't important enough to deserve that recognition, especially because that honor is also given to lesser fare like "talking like a pirate". This isn't the part that inspires such rancor, or at least I don't think so.

Instead, it's the Hallmarkization of the day, and really all of February, that sucks for single people. Surrounded by happy couples and beaten over the head with commercials reminding them to buy something special (and expensive) for the loved one that they haven't met yet, Valentines Day is a kick between the legs. To say that this is merely the result of envy and loneliness would not be viewing the complete picture. In a day where the media is running images of happy people with their squeezes, the not-so-subtle implication of superiority is often felt by those who get dinner for one. Why should they be happy, when we aren't? Should our self-worth be judged by the presence of a soul mate or a lack thereof? To sourpuss singles, the very act of celebrating romantic partners is akin to being Jewish on Christmas Day. We're going to celebrate something that makes every imperfection in our lives bearable, but don't feel bad just because this benefit is not extended to you. Doesn't sound fair.

So to those of you who spent lots of money, time, and care preparing a memorable evening out, Happy Valentines Day. I really do hope you enjoy it and each other. Just don't be upset with your waiter for seeming aloof and jaded. He's probably hoping to get out early so he can blog about how all the good girls are taken.