The social purpose of Valentine's Day

I was thinking about this while walking back home the other day... alone... in the dark... When you're single, Valentine's day tends to suck. Like big time. You start your day good enough. You wake up. You have your coffee. You get ready. You're determined to have a good day. And the minute you walk out the door you're actually in a good mood. You're going to make it! This is going to be a great day! For once that it's actually not that cold... You only make it as far as the metro or the bus. And there they are. Holding hands. Making lovey dovey faces. Making out. IN YOUR FACE! First one's ok. Second one, ça passe. Third one, you try to look away. But by the fourth couple encounter, it starts to wear you down. And from there it's only downhill.

 But in all my dark mood, I realized something. Leaving aside the marketing aspect and the flower shops which make their yearly sales in this one day, Valentine's day has a more social aspect. If people are social creatures and our ultimate purpose in life is to find companionship, then this one day has the ultimate purpose to remind you where you stand and what is still left to be done. All year round you manage to drown that little voice in your head and only focus on the benefits of being single. But this one day gives you a quick reality check and reminds you that you're still not there yet and there's still work to be done. And sometimes you need that slap in the face to wake you up.

 So, if watching people make out in the metro makes you cringe in envy not horror, and it makes you want to lie down and cry not run away as fast as possible, then maybe it's a sign that you should refocus your priorities. Maybe it's time to put yourself out there more often. Sure you'll get your heart stomped on more than you can count. But in the end, it's the things you never did that you regret most and much more than those you did do.

 After the traditional New Year's resolutions, I think this occasion calls for Valentine's resolutions. And here's mine. Figure out what the hell I want. I think with just that I have my hands full for a while.