Happy Valentine's Day

It’s happy heart days again and cheesiness and romance is in the air. Chocolates and bouquet of roses are a common sight during this day, so are couples holding hands and motels getting fully-booked. Everywhere you look, different establishments offer variety of gimmicks for this special day. There a lot of discounts and packages especially for couples who will avail of their services. Windowsills are decorated with cupid and heart cut-outs and red is but a common color. This day, in February, as many would put it, is a time of love.

Though Valentines is not considered a holiday, many consider it a special day. Professing one’s love to another person is considered acceptable during this day and not a few take advantage of this, especially those who cannot muster the courage on an ordinary day. To some people this day is another chance to rekindle the romance and remind their partner of how much special they are to the other. There are some of us who would spend this day to simply thank those people who have touched our lives in different ways we can.

For those who are planning a surprise for their special someone or someones, let me suggest some ways to make them feel extra special.

1. Write a letter. A handwritten, old-fashioned letter.

Nothing beats the feeling of being able to receive a handwritten letter. The way I write it sounds like it’s very rare nowadays. Well it is.  Most of us have relied to technology to express our sweet nothings to other people. Writing a letter takes effort and more than the content of the letter, it’s the effort that makes a person head over heels for you.

2. Instead of giving chocolates, cook something special.

Again, effort is the name of the game. Home-cooked meals gives your partner the impression how much you care for them that you would even risk getting cut and burned just to create something special for them. Chocolates are cliché. Why not give them something you made from scratch?

3. Instead of a boring old date, why not go for an adventure?

Ziplining or mountain climbing? What about scuba diving or skydiving? There are different ways of getting your adrenaline pumping and your heart beating at the same time. As they say, the gifts you give someone fades away, but the memories wont. Experiencing something new together makes the relationship stronger. You can discover new things about your partner. Go outdoors. Experience something new!

4. Be artistic. Compose a song. Write a poem.

Unleash the inner artist in you. 90% of songs are about love which gives you an idea how easy it is to find inspiration when you are in love. Do not be afraid if it’s going to sound corny or if your poem does not rhyme. The wisdom in it is that expressing how you feel artistically puts a little bit of kick in your output. Also, the way you see your partner is unique and most of the time what you see in him or her cannot be seen by other people. Putting it in a love song or in a poem makes it eternal or shall I say infinite?

5. Make at least one simple wish come true.

Does your partner dream of being in a TV Show or how about to watch his or her favorite band play? It’s your time to play genie and grant one wish. This would take a little more effort and meticulous preparation but of course it highly depends on what the wish is. Valentines day is about giving and what is the best way to express it than to swish and flick you magic wand and make those wishes granted.

This love month, you do not need to spend a lot of time, money and effort to make someone feel special. Also, you do not and should not do it all in one day. Though many would prefer to ride the bandwagon and celebrate on this day, you have to remember that there are 365 days in the calendar and everyday is a chance to express how much you love another person. Make everyday with your loved one special. As Martin Nievera’s song would go “each day with you becomes a valentine."

By the way let me share with you this poem/prayer I stumbled upon years ago.

 Mangyari lamang ay tumayo ang mga nagmahal

nang makita ng lahat ang mukha ng pag- ibig.

Ipamalas ang tamis ng malalim na pagkakaunawaan

sa mga malabo ang paningin.

Mangyari lamang ay tumayo rin ang mga nagmahal at nasawi 

nang makita ng lahat ang mga sugat ng isang bayani.

Ipadama ang pait ng kabiguan habang ipinagbubunyi

ang walang katulad na kagitingan ng isang nagtaya.

Mangyari lamang ay tumayo ang mga nangangambang magmahal 

nang makita ng lahat ang kilos ng isang bata.

Ipamalas ang katapatan ng damdamin na pilit ikinukubli

ng pusong lumaki sa mga engkanto at diwata.

Mangyari lamang ay tumayo ang mga nagmahal,

minahal at iniwan ngunit handa pa ring magmahal

nang makita ng lahat ang yaman ng karanasan.

Ipamalas ang katotohanang nasaksihan

nang maging makahulugan ang mga paghagulgol sa dilim.

At sa mga nananatiling nakaupo mangyari lamang

ay dahan-dahang tumalilis papalabas sa nakangangang pinto.

Umuwi na kayo at sumbatan ang mga magulang

na nagpalaki ng isang halimaw! 

At sa lahat ng naiwang nakatayo mangyari lamang

ay hagkan ang isa’t isa at yakapin ang mga sugatan.

Mabuhay tayong lahat na nagsisikap na makabalik sa ating pinagmulan!

Manatiling masaya at higit sa lahat magpatuloy sa pagmamahal.