Valentines Day. Some say St. Valentine wrote his hearts love from the prison in which he died. Some say he loved the jailors daughter and signed his letters to her, your valentine. Either way the Vman set the standard for love under duress. Most experts believe he loved a woman but he was a priest so who can say for sure. It might explain the association of candy on VDay.
Whatever it's origins, February 14th pokes a sharp stick in the eye of singles and the romantically challenged. After love day kicks our ass it takes all our money. So we have an emotionally disturbing financially demanding monkey on our back and it supposed to turn out ok? Valentines day has no chance. I say, love who you love every day. Let them know they are special all throughout the year, and spend Valentines day like you would any other day...fighting about where to go for dinner, arguing over what to watch on Tv or at the movies, and pushing each others buttons.

For those with more romantic pursuits hoping to avoid the commercialism, take a walk. Talk about where you are, and where you want to be as two people in love. More lovers would stay lovers if they did more talking and sharing openly with each other.

For the players and the desperately needy, the usual usually works. Flowers, chocolates, jewelry and dinner. Trashy clothes and seductive agendas will probably get what you want.

And for the single, throw a party. Enough single people get together, you can play the match game.

As always be careful, be smart, be brave, and relax. It's just Valentines Day. No pressure.