With Great Intention

I hope everyone has enjoyed this week full of flowers, candy, food and hopefully my favorite topic- LOVE!

Most situations this week have dealt with breaking up, getting engaged, finding a hot romance, "singles awareness," and of course gift giving.

I am not going to sit here and rant about all of these things. It is typical to turn Valentine's Day in to more than what it should be. Society plays on every one's emotions by playing sappy lovey dovey commercials, encouraging couples to go above and beyond to make that one day special, and making sure you spend plenty of money in the process.

Why? Why do people do this to each other? Take the pressure off! When you set yourself up to make this day the most romantic day ever, or try to constantly out do one another you are set up for failure. For instance, a good friend of mine got engaged this weekend. He had everything planned out: out for breakfast, a day of shopping without complaining, then a dinner at a pristine establishment. What could have gone wrong, you ask? Well, with all his nerves swirling he left the ring in his jacket. This jacket was checked at the door of the restaurant. So he had to tell his girlfriend to wait, track down his coat, get the ring and then return to the table, thus leaving her by herself for almost 15 minutes.

So, why not take the pressure off? Why does everything have to be like it is seen in movies? I just don't get it. I am a woman and I love romance, but the crap on the silver screen isn't reality. Plans get messed up, love is messy in it's natural form. We just need to love and love endlessly without reservation. Otherwise, we can all try to be "Love Actually," "The Notebook," or "A Walk to Remember," until we realize that there is no one there to yell "cut" to make the fights end or "that's a wrap" when you hit a happy ending.

We all want to show love and be loved in return, that is why we put our selves out there and become vulnerable, but we should try to avoid as much disaster as possible, with great intentions!