On my first Valentines Day in Singapore, I was amazed to see how big of a holiday it was in the small city. I took the train and everyone around me were carrying bouquets of flowers. I arrive at work, and the ladies are either waiting for a flower delivery (and sighing a little when the delivery that arrived wasn't for them), while the men are struggling to find flower shops who would deliver last minute orders without charging obscenely. In the evening, the restaurants were incredibly packed, getting a cab was near impossible, and people were just...everywhere.
Years later, I go home to Manila to find that the intense celebration of Valentines Day has landed. Not a single public place is without decorations. At work, various activities are taking place, small and big. We have balloons, games, even little notecards you can write on and have someone deliver for you. People were exchanging gifts and arranging dinners and night outs. It reminded me of one other holiday when all this madness happens. Is it Christmas that day?
What struck me the most is that these people participating in the events and getting hung up on Valentines are not couples. These are friends saying "hi's" to other friends. These are buddies sending a funny joke to another. These are employees sending a "thank you" to their boss. These are bosses sending a "good job" to their team. These are children sending flowers to their mothers.
What used to be an event for couples only, have become an event for all. A holiday that used to remind of romance, now celebrates love. I don't celebrate Valentines Day, but this year, I wondered, why not?
Valentines Day is a reminder for us to express love. In our fast-paced life of technology, work and social networking, it can be easy to forget. If you have been badly hurt by a previous relationship, or have long been searching for someone to be with, and couldn't seem to meet anyone "right", it can be easy to forget. The problem with forgetting is that you not only forget to express love, you forget the feeling of how it is be given love as well. And somewhere along the way, you lose the courage to continue searching for it, and just believe that it's not something you deserve, or make yourself believe it's not something you want. You may forget that there are people around you who do love you as much as any boyfriend or girlfriend would. Sure, you don't go out on dates, there are no romantic kisses, but you are there for each other. Having people around you who care for you is the best reminder that love will be there.
A while back, while waiting for my turn to go parasailing, a friend asked if I was sure I wanted to do it, wouldn't I get seasick and end up vomitting? I did get seasick, and I did vomit after the ride. Did I enjoy parasailing? Definitely, it was the closest I was to flying. Valentines Day reminds us that love, as that wonderful movie says, is all around. And that even if you're hurt, or lonely, scared and hopeless that you'll ever find it, you should still go on. You may end up vomitting, but the feeling of giving love, and being loved, is the closest we have to flying.
Happy Valentines Day to all, and to all, a good night!
