The "V" Word

I just informed my coworker, as he scooped some Reese's Pieces out of the office candy jar, that my goal for February was to have no candy from the jar. He mis-heard me and thought I just meant no candy to which he replied "But it's Valentine's month!" I corrected him but it made me think. First off, since when did Valentine's Day begin to encompass the entire month of February? Secondly, is it becoming like Halloween in that it's a holiday that completely revolves around candy? Don't get me wrong, I love a good box of chocolates as much as the next girl but I didn't realize that this holiday supplies the assumption that people eat more candy in February than other months (except perhaps October). Last year and this year I specifically asked Jake not to get me any candy because I find having it around opens up a world of snacking I do not need to be doing.

I, personally, love Valentine's Day but I think that's because I look at it as a celebration of love in general. Jake and I do a good job of making our plans together so that one of us isn't left in the pressure seat of making the other one happy. This year we're running a 5k together, having a nice dinner and then hitting up one of our comfortable, cheap, favorites on the actual holiday, all things we both agree upon together. Surprises are nice but I get enough of them in the day-to-day (like coming home to find the laundry has been taken care of) and I'd rather not have him hate Valentine's Day because I expect things from him. He's willing to make the effort, we just do it together. I know some people hate this holiday, I get that, but I think if it's approached in the right way it can be a great day.

image from here