Estoy enamorada.

I have always loved posting for Valentine's Day. Looking back, I realize that I have definitely overused the title of “Estoy enamorada,” too late to correct that now, might as well just embrace it. hehe



I was expressing my excitement for Valentine’s Day to a few friends, and was surprised to receive rather adverse reactions in return.  I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, the occasion does tend to create a wide range of unique opinions regardless of background, age, or relationship status. Arguments against draw on the commercialism edge from Hallmark as excessive or, the number one argument I hear… we should love every day, not just one.



I’m sad when I hear those reasons. Valentine’s Day is not giving us a reason to love. It is simply celebrating love we already have. In this world where destruction, hurt and ugliness fill our headlines, why voluntarily veto a day that celebrates love? A day that promotes sending hearts and flowers instead of punches or bombs. A day that makes it socially acceptable to go around giving out hugs and kisses. Even if just for a day. When it happens one day, then it can happen another, and another, and another.
I actually came across a few anonymous comments online the other day, and thought that a few were quite well put.

"I love Valentine's Day, and I've never celebrated it with a boyfriend — actually, I've dumped two boyfriends on Valentine's day, so maybe I do celebrate. It's a day when we're allowed to express our love, which isn't to say that we shouldn't express our love everyday. I just think some people need permission to give love, and that should be okay. I love that there are 24 hours every year dedicated purely to love. I use Valentine's Day as an opportunity to make tacky cards for my best friends, my sisters, my parents, my coworkers, etc. I make lists of their greatest attributes, fondly recall obscure memories in long, rambling postcards, or sometimes, I'll just stick to love ballads. In general, holidays shouldn't be about what we don't have. It's easy to gripe about the love we've lost, looking around at happy couples drinking wine. But what if we celebrated all the love we had? Wouldn't that be fun? Wouldn't that be lovely?"

"I …. love Valentine's Day. I think it's one of the happiest days of the year. Even if you're single and say that it's a made up holiday, it's made up to celebrate love, which is like, the best thing in the world. You don't have to be in love, but there must be someone you love, like a parent, sister, or friend. So why not have a day to remind you of how special those people are? Plus, red wine and chocolate? Duh."

We don't get much opportunity for expression as scrub clad surgery residents, but we find a way. ;)

I LOVE YOU!     HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!