Actions will speak louder than words for your valentine

V-Day is upon us…Valentine’s Day that is. Stores are filled with red, pink and white emblems of love. Red roses, boxes of chocolates, conversation heart candies and romantic cards abound on February 14th. But is Cupid really wasting his efforts? Is Valentine’s Day just another excuse to spend money all in the name of love? Or is there some real meaning behind what we feel and do on Valentine’s Day?

For some individuals, Valentine’s Day is a time for romantic reminiscing. For others it can be a day to celebrate friendship and happiness with loved ones. But the big dilemma for lovers and friends across the country is what do I buy for the object of my affection?

In contrast to what many believe about Valentine’s Day, gifts should show that you spent time and thought, not a lot of money on your loved ones. Instead, consider giving gifts that shows you spent some time thinking about your significant other.

Be a loyal servant for the day. Give a weekend of your time to fix and clean house for someone else. Create a coupon that provides a meal that you’ll cook and even clean-up, especially if this is something that you rarely do.

Be creative. Write a poem and have it framed or find a poem that expresses how you feel about your loved one. Find something of personal importance like the ticket stubs from the movie where you had your first date or a picture that reminds you of a special time you shared together and find a way to present them to your Valentine.

Be attentive. Remove all of the things in your life that keep you from normally spending quality time together. This can be tough for parents, but find a baby-sitter, put away your work, ignore the messy house, and spend time reminiscing about why you love one another.

Be romantic. You don’t have to be a sappy, gushing, romantic fool. Sometimes Valentine’s Day can be celebrated in a small way. Leave a love note for him/her to find unexpectedly. Make a surprise phone call in the middle of the day just to say “I love you.”

So take this Valentine’s Day to be thoughtful when it comes to gift giving. Remember that Valentine’s Day is not about how much money you can spend, but how much you can share your love with someone else. Happy Valentine’s Day.

Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 2002