IF the idea of Valentine’s Day makes you want to run for the hills, I urge you to hear me out. Just this once.

Call me a silly old romantic fool, but I adore Valentine’s Day. Yes it’s completely commercialised and even a bit naff, but take away all the crap and all the clutter, and what you’re left with is something rather wonderful I think.

Today is a day which calls for romance, a little creativity and sometimes a whole lot of bravery too.

It’s a day which encourages us to be bold when it comes to matters of the heart or groin (hopefully both!) and tell those whom we love or fancy the pants off, that we think, well, rather a lot about them. So I ask you, really folks, what is so wrong or horrid about that?

Valentine’s Day is not about spending a whole lot of money – as retailers and marketeers would have us believe – it’s about the little gestures, the heartfelt words and real emotion. Hey, it’s even about having some fun too!

In the past, when I’ve argued the case for Valentine’s Day, people have often said to me that we shouldn’t need a day to show our loved ones how much we care and that of course is absolutely true. In an ideal world, every day of our lives would be filled with great earth-moving passion, but as much as I’m a hopeful romantic, I am also a realist.

Modern life is busy. Often ridiculously so. Therefore it’s no surprise that most of us would sometimes rather crack on with our list of endless jobs than take some time out to show a little lurve or create a romantic spark or moment of intimacy.

And this my dear friends, is exactly the reason we DO need a day like Valentine’s Day. For if nothing else it’s a reminder that we should cherish our beloveds and go ‘crazy in love’ from time to time.

I’ve had all kinds of Valentine’s Day presents over the years – flowers, chocolates – you name it, I’ve had them (yes, I know I’m a lucky gal). But when it comes to matters of the heart, it’s the little things, the thoughtful gestures, the sincere words that bring a lump to my throat and a smile to my face.

” The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” 

Helen Keller

So this Valentine’s Day, do me a favour and don’t grumble because you have to go out in your lunchbreak to buy a card, if you are lucky enough to share your life with someone who cares for you or fortunate enough to have someone in mind who makes your heart beat a little faster.

Make a romantic gesture and do it with care and sincerity, or seriously, if it’s too much hassle for you, just don’t bother at all. Nobody wants your token gift or card no matter how lavish it may be.

You don’t even need to spend money or *gasps* buy a card! Why not think differently this year? Write a love letter, get naked (together), cook a romantic meal, make a love message out of candles or if all else fails, simply grab your partner and kiss them, long, hard, passionately and with everything you’ve got.

Dismiss the marketing nonsense that surrounds today but DO embrace the fun and sentiment.

Say it with flowers, say it with song, say it with rhythm or even say it wrong! Just whatever you do, say it! Grab the romantic in you by the horns and tell the object of your affections how much you (love, fancy, worship) them.

I urge you to make someone’s day and be cupid. Afterall, life and love, is what you make of it.

With kisses,

Kate

x

P.S I once left ‘my last Rolo’ on the doorstop of the object of my affection’s house on Valentine’s Day. Even at 12 years of age, I knew about romance ;-)