Valentine's Baby

Valentine's Day.

The Hallmark Holiday.

Ugh.

This is probably the only "holiday" that more people hate than actually like. Sure, if you are in a relationship, or in love with love, you probably like Valentine's Day. Flowers, candy, romance...or, pressure to finding the perfect gift and planning a romantic evening.

Don't even get me started on finding a "valentine"...that special someone to buy you overpriced flowers that wull die in 3 days and/or plan this overly romantic evening that really only happens in movies.

If I sound bitter, it's because I am.

I'm not bitter because I'm anti-love/romance or because I don't have someone "special" to spend this "special" day with or even because I had a bad experience in the past-which.

No, I'm bitter because Valentine's Day overshadows my birthday.

That's right, I'm a Valentine's Baby.

Do you know how tough it is to share the joyous occasion of your birth with Valentine's Day???

Sure, no one forgets your birthday because it's on Valentine's Day, until the actual day...then they're too busy with Valentine's Day- either hating the day because they are single, full of excitement because of what their "love" has planned or sweating bullets that the romantic evening.gesture they have planned might not be enough.

Most people celebrate their birthday by going out with friends...not me. Either my friends are busy with their Valentine's Day plans (relationship) or they are too depressed to do anything (singletons). And if you can get people to come out...HA! Everywhere is celebrating Valentine's Day. Everywhere is hosting a love/couple thing or it's a singles event. Valentine's theme all around. For the birthday girl/guy, this is not enjoyable.

If you are lucky enough to get a reservation at a restaurant, that's not really better. Restaurants always run Valentine's specials, for couples, or they have a limited menu. So, I can't even go to my favourite restaurant and order my favourite dish...because it's not on the menu that night.

Let's talk about presents...I'm not big on presents but getting a combined Valentine/birthday present is not cool, especially if it's something like flowers or a box of chocolate. If you are going to give a combined gift, make it good! Not to mention, other people get presents on my birthday and if I'm in a relationship, I get to give someone a present. Really??? How is that fair?! Or even fun?

Valentine's Babies aren't even uncommon. The son of a family friend was born an hour before me and a childhood classmate's sister was also born on Valentine's Day. As I got older, I met more and more people that share my date of birth. Whenever I've gone out for my birthday- either for a drink after work or out for dinner- there is always a handful of people also celebrating their birthday.

I beg you, if you know someone who is a Valentine's Baby, don't forget to wish them a happy birthday and, if you can, go out of your way to celebrate their birthday- it will mean a lot to them. Trust me. If you really want to be supportive, boycott this fake holiday and instead solely celebrate the day they entered this world.

Valentine's Day does make me bitter, but if you had to share your birthday with this "holiday", I think you'd be bitter too.



To celebrate my birthday, someone is going to win $50 cash! My sweet friend Amber is hosting, but you can enter here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway