Teddy bears, hearts, chocolates, or why do I hate Valentine’s day

Almost fourteen days had passed since that Friday when florists were falling apart at the seams, and their cash-registers were getting fuller and fuller. Well, maybe they get more traffic for the Day of the Dead, I don't know. The majority hurries to get red roses. If they have already run out of these, another color will be fine as well. Tulips, daffodils, bouquets of one kind and another. It follows a quick visit to the nearest store for Milka's heart-shaped box of chocolates. Since you arrived too late and the shelves are already empty, you can choose between Mozart or the smallest pack of Merci chocolates. You choose cheaper ones and head to the plush toy section. Puppy, bear, centipede, it doesn't matter. As long as it wears a heart with the words "I love you" on it. Yes, I'm talking about Valentine's Day.

The holiday was named after St. Valentine or actually three Valentines, martyrs who had little to do with love. However, some legends said that St. Valentine organized secret weddings between couples who really loved each other, but they were forbidden to marry — just like Romeo and Juliet. Although St. Valentine was more associated with the spread of love for Christianity. To celebrate it, people in the Roman Empire were fasting on February 14. The Middle Ages and its notion of romantic love were to blame, that Valentine's Day is still celebrated today. Or rather, the day when stores get rid of excess junk.

I've hated this day since elementary school. In fourth grade, we had to write Valentine's day cards. But not to our best friends, as we had done all those years before, but to our crush. What a torment. At the time, I was in love with the most popular guy in my class. I was ashamed already when I was copying the question "Will you be my Valentine?" from the green board at the other end of the classroom. After we decorated our cards with a few hearts, we had to put them on a pile. As I was walking up there with my classmates, I was blushing from embarrassment. I quickly crumpled up the card and took it straight to the trash instead of the table. 

From then on and till the end of elementary school, I waited for a hidden note from my crush for Valentine's Day. Nothing. From no one, only from my friends. What a misery. In high school, however, it only got worse, and I buried Valentine's Day forever. Even then, the boys were desperately trying to buy something for their chosen one. Usually, the fulsome things. And it hit me too. I still don't know what kind of expression I had on my face when I received the little ugly teddy bear and the red lace thongs. 

What was I supposed to do with this crap? I could wear thongs if they weren't too big for me. I felt terrible. The gift was useless, and I felt awful because I didn't buy anything myself. Since then, I have deleted this holiday from my memory and preferred to tell each individual that I want this day to be normal - no flowers, no gifts, and no cards. 

Even today, I find it funny when people are running to the stores, especially men, and without a real idea, they grab something, anything. But I understand them - the majority of women expect something for Valentine's day. If they don't get it, they become real monsters. 

I don't know exactly when, but it seems to me that Valentine's Day has become an extra job, especially for men. It is no longer about exchanging gifts between partners but more about men buying gifts because they want to avoid drama at home. 

Valentine's Day - a holiday when men go to flower shops, lingerie shops, chocolate shops. Love is long forgotten; all that remains is to buy peace as long as they can - till death do you part or till the relationship falls apart. In both cases, you are leaving behind a bag full of rubbish.