Shhhh…it’s Valentine’s Day

Just kidding – it’s no secret that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.

If you didn’t know, and maybe that’s possible if you spent the last week out of town – like maybe on the moon – I’ll say it again, Valentine’s Day is almost here. 

If you haven’t procured something special for that special person in your life, you may be thinking that you’re out of luck.

But then again, maybe I can help you.

Heaven knows you need it.

Nobody wants to be caught on the short end of such an auspicious occasion of far reaching consequences.

It is indeed difficult to imagine a February without candy, flowers, and gifts.  And all in the name of St.Valentine, the patron saint of lovers for whom the day is named. 

It can be a day to anticipate or a day to fear.

Valentine’s Day has been celebrated on February 14th for over 1,500 years, so that would pretty much cover the entire lives of anyone breathing today.  It hasn’t been a Johnny-come-lately to the holiday scene, so that excuse won’t hold water.

Truly, on the day especially set aside for lovers, there is no excuse that would satisfy a forgotten mate or significant other. 

The best advice is simply not to let that happen.

And it’s not too late to prevent a needless calamity.

February is the month of romance – the month of love.

Or alternatively, the month that will be remembered as the beginning of the end.

There is considerable wisdom in ensuring that your main squeeze has an enjoyable Valentine’s Day, as opposed to a miserable one that won’t soon be forgotten.

It’s not too late to purchase one of the 188 million Valentine's Day cards exchanged annually, or even hand scrawl a love note.  Pay no heed that over 50-percent of all Valentine's Day cards are purchased in the six days prior to the observance, meaning that you will only be elbowing 50-percent of the remainder of the world scanning those card racks.  Math majors will tell us that procrastinators such as yourself will be competing with, at most, 94 million others desperately trying to save a sinking ship.

Consider that even at this advanced date, you can save yourself stress and ensure a romantic Valentine's Day by spending a lot of money for last minute flowers or reservations at your special restaurant if there are any to be had.

Or you could use the following fill-in-the-blank poem (in your handwriting of course) to explain why you wouldn’t even pop for a dollar or two and buy a card: Roses are Red, violets are blue, those store-bought cards aren’t good enough for you.

Good luck with that one.

You could make dinner at home.  Just make sure there is a plentiful supply of chocolate.

Chocolate helps.

So on this special day when sweethearts honor each other with candy, flowers, and cards, get off your can and do something for that valentine in your life. 

And by the way, just as Romeos and Juliets come in all shapes, colors and sizes, so too do gifts.  A gift from the heart, in the form of a few loving words is appreciated as much, if not more, than the store-bought paraphernalia.  But that doesn’t mean one shouldn’t buy something – just in case. 

Take comfort in the fact that February 14th is, after all, just another day.

And if you buy that, then you deserve what you get.

And in case you’re curious, you may wonder whatever happened to St. Valentine, the patron saint that started all this.

The story goes that he was beheaded.

Happy Valentine’s Day!