A Reason to Celebrate
Valentine’s Day is this weekend, and we’ve got big plans for adventure. But that shouldn’t surprise you. If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know I usually have something up my sleeve.
But my plans aren’t what I’m here to talk about today.
Over the course of the last several weeks, at least three people have told me they don’t do Valentine’s Day. These were all people in committed relationships, not angry singles who recently went through a bad break up.
I get it. It’s a terribly commercial, totally made up holiday designed to pressure folks into buying expensive gifts and prop up the greeting card industry. Single people are left out. People in early relationships are forced into awkward situations. And married people feel like they have to do certain things and buy certain things or risk looking like they don’t love their spouses.
That’s a lot of pressure.
So, I totally understand the general resistance I’ve encountered this year. But it still startled me each time it came up.
I resist this resistance!
In our house, we embrace every opportunity to celebrate. Our wedding anniversary is a day (or week sometimes) of celebration, of course, but we also make a big deal out of our half-iversary. We joined our lives kind of late in the game, so we feel like we owe ourselves twice the anniversaries to make up for it. But we also celebrate Groundhog Day by watching the Bill Murray movie of the same name. We celebrate Cinco De Mayo — or in the case of one year when nobody was home — Ocho De Mayo. We wear tiaras and eat fancy hors douevres for Oscar night. We watch fireworks at the drive-in on the Fourth of July, and we watch the Rose Parade from a hotel while eating a room-service breakfast on New Year’s Day.
And this Valentine’s Day we’ll stay at a hotel, spend the weekend in museums, will likely buy each other gifts in the LEGO store, have brunch in a train depot, and visit a planetarium.
The point here is, screw what you think you should do on Valentine’s Day. Do what you want to do. With or without a partner. It’s a made up holiday anyway. Make up something to do that you love.
Every day is a cause for celebration. Don’t believe me? Here’s a small sample. Personally, I’m looking forward to February 20th so we can celebrate Hoodie Hoo Day. Tomorrow, apparently, is Get a Different Name Day. I may insist on being called Lumiria Cobblepot all day long.
Do something fun. Find an adventure to go on. Celebrate something — anything. And do it your way.
Just wondering why witch’s war hasn’t come out yet. 🙁
I’ve read all your books and am just curious what happened.
Your Biggest Fan
Shauna
Hi, Shauna!
Thanks for stopping by. Good news–Witches War came out last Monday. Due to sickness in the household, all I managed to do was announce it on my Facebook page. But it is available. You can get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
Thanks for sticking with me!
Rachel
Oh I’m so GLAD I clicked on this, You made my day!
Also, I embrace any occasion that presents are involved.
Hi Mary Ellen! It’s good to see you over here! 🙂 I’m going to go celebrate that you stopped by. 😀
I just wanted to know where you’ve been all my life? I stumbled across “Monsters in My Closet” and, though I am only halfway through, I am finding that it is wonderful and that you are destined to become an all time favorite author. Many people attempt urban fantasy and fall flat but you have the gift! I am now on a quest to read every one of your books. I am disabled so I read a lot and also have chronic pain, so wonderful books like yours improve the quality of my life and take my mind off the pain so that I end up using less medication. Win! Keep up the good work! You are making people’s lives better in so many ways. Thank you!
Hi, Jane! Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving me these kind words. I’m so happy I helped you take your mind of your pain, but I’m also so sorry to hear that you have it in the first place. I hope the rest of my books keep your mind occupied and entertained. I’ll keep writing and keep you in my thoughts.