Make Valentine’s Day Special Without It Being Special

Posted on February 14, 2008 by Melissa
Filed Under Reflection, Relationships

there’s no forgetting the HOFF When Eric and I first started dating he definitely worked to impress me, especially on Valentine’s Day. He would buy me flowers, take me to a nice restaurant, and get me gifts. That kind of Valentine’s date is practically a requirement for new relationships. I loved it back then and thought he might be the kindest, sweetest man I’d ever met.

Now that our relationship has matured beyond the dating stage (and I know that he is the kindest, sweetest man I’ve ever met) we have settled into a different routine when it comes to Valentine’s Day.

This Valentine’s Day, like the past few, we are going to enjoy a dinner in. Eric gets to decide the entrée and it can be anything (within reason – no caviar, etc). Not surprisingly, he tends to choose one of his favorite recipes from my weeknight staples. This works out beautifully for the budget because most of my recipes can be made inexpensively without sacrificing anything.

This year he chose my Orange Rosemary Porkchops. I’ll pair them with creamy mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables with herbed butter. Add a little cheese course, a little wine, and a little dessert and we will have a fantastic (and cheap) meal for the two of us.

Eating a budget-friendly home cooked meal for Valentine’s Day may be thought of as routine or incredibly un-romantic to some but to us it is romantic. What’s more romantic than putting time and effort into creating something from scratch for someone you love? So what that cooking frugal dinners are an everyday occurrence and not something “special” or unique. Valentine’s Day just places emphasis on showing someone you love them, which is something we do everyday in the little things.

Love is found in those little things – he takes the trash out without me asking, she makes sure the kids get to school on time, he makes sure the car has plenty of gas, she cooks us dinner after her long day…

I’ve found that I feel the most loved from those little “ordinary” things rather than the grand gestures we have come to associate with romantic love. Why not celebrate the “every day” dinner as a valid expression of love on Valentine’s Day?

Cooking at home is a wonderful couples activity. It’s not just me in the kitchen slaving away while Eric sits on the couch drinking a beer. We cook together. We share a glass of wine, talk, and prepare the meal as a couple. The chronically common becomes something special. It reminds us that the mundane things we do for each other are so meaningful.

Try it some time, maybe even tonight. Let your someone special choose a meal and cook it together over a glass of wine. Or if cooking dinner has no significance to you choose an activity that does. Emphasize that love is something that happens every day.

In my opinion, Valentine’s Day isn’t just an excuse to blow some cash on expensive gifts and fancy dinners; it’s a reminder to give and to recognize love in its most common yet most significant form. Celebrate the little things that make you feel loved.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Image Source: pink hats, red shoes

Comments

7 Responses to “Make Valentine’s Day Special Without It Being Special”

Kaye on February 14th, 2008 9:36 am

Thanks for a great post. I firmly agree that every day should be special…not just the “special” ones. We are trying to do those “special” things more often…like use the “good china” for a regular dinner and such.

I am adding you to a post I made yesterday regarding inexpensive V-day ideas. Enjoy yours!
SavingDiva on February 14th, 2008 10:00 am

I love the picture of the Hoff! :) It made my day!
Kaye on February 14th, 2008 2:38 pm

Nice picture of “the Hoff” by the way.
Four "Hoff" Pillars on February 14th, 2008 10:36 pm

Really good post. I enjoy cooking and totally agree that it’s a great date to cook up some food.

I will say however that once you have kids - things change and going out is totally worth it…

Mike
Stacey on February 15th, 2008 4:27 pm

i was looking for a comment like Mike’s ;)
I enjoy your posts - but wasn’t sure if you had kids or not. As much as my dh and I would have LOVED to stay home and spend time in the kitchen together, we opted to spend $65 ($50 for dinner, $15 for daycare) to go out and eat alone!
Tom on February 17th, 2008 11:13 am

On valentine’s day, I always found it best to be creative at home and spend the time going out the weekend after to avoid the rush ;)
Deborah on February 18th, 2008 12:45 pm

My husband and I did an at-home V-Day dinner for the first time this year, and it was so much more romantic than going to a restaurant. I definitely splurged, but the wine and food that cost me $30 for one meal would have been close to $100 at a nice Italian restaurant.
And that is one AWESOME picture of The Hoff!