Member-only story
My love-hate relationship with Valentine’s Day
Mostly hate
I texted my husband about 11 on the morning of Valentine’s Day.
We hadn’t made plans, as has been the case the past several years. Going to dinner at a restaurant crowded with other couples and inflated prices just don’t appeal.
I asked him if he would be able to join me for lunch as I was craving some Korean Fried Chicken.
“Sorry,” he texted back. He had a work meeting with three female staffers and couldn’t do lunch. But maybe we could do it the next day? Or tonight?
For someone who doesn’t expect a Valentine date the day of, I got upset. He was turning down a date with me, to go to lunch with other women?
I texted, “I don’t want to go to lunch tomorrow.” Or to dinner tonight, for that matter.
Okay, so I was being a brat.
But that’s what Valentine’s Day does to you, when you’re in a relationship. You don’t want the roses and chocolates because that’s cliche. However, if your husband doesn’t get you anything, you feel invisible.
You don’t want to go out on a dinner date with a million other couples, but when you impulsively invite your spouse to a lunch date, you are shocked and hurt when he doesn’t drop everything to be with you.
