Love is in the air. Hearts and Cupid decorations are in every store and restaurant. Flowers are blooming, birds are singing and lovers are holding hands and making plans for Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is the holiday forced down the throats of consumers forcing lovers to buy stuffed bears holding stuffed hearts saying “I Love You” or “Wild Thing.” Let’s not forget the giant heart-shaped boxes of various chocolates and the sexually suggestive Valentine’s Day cards being pushed onto helpless consumers.

Children have even been subjected to the Valentine’s Day consumerism. Elementary school teachers demand students decorate brown paper lunch bags with heart stickers and drawings of flowers. Then the students must bring themed Valentines and candy for everyone in the class. Is this commercialized friendship? I think so.

Valentine’s Day has evolved into nothing more than another obligation. People feel obligated to get someone a present. Boyfriends and girlfriends, husbands and wives, friends and family are exchanging gifts that scream “I Love You.” Too bad the scream comes from the Hallmark factory instead of the loved one.

The only screams from actual people on Valentine’s Day will be of disappointment or anger. Boyfriends are upset because girlfriends did not give the gift swooned after. Wives are upset because husbands wrote nothing meaningful in the card. Girlfriends are upset because the jewelry received is not gaudy enough to show off. Husbands are upset about spending more money on a gift that wives will just throw away. Get over it, all of you.

When people are together for years, the words on paper may not make the best impression or express the correct feelings. How does one differently express the same emotions each year? The pressure of making Valentine’s Day different each year and making it special every year is too much.

The perfect flowers, gift and card to show how one feels for another is hard to come by. Why do people believe Valentine’s Day should be perfect? If the relationship is not perfect, which none are, why break the tradition?

Valentine’s Day is described as the one day lovers are to show their love for one another. Does this mean lovers do not know how each other feels when it is not Feb. 14? If two people love each other, should not everyday be the day to show their love?

Couples should be able to show love for one another every day of the year, not just on Valentine’s Day. Do not limit affection to one day a year.

This year, pick a random day, not a holiday or birthday, and make it a special day. Bring that special someone on a romantic evening. I guarantee this gesture will make that special someone feel loved, even more than the forgotten Valentine’s Day gift.

This Valentine’s Day, forget the chocolate, flowers, stuffed animals and cards. This year, forget Valentine’s Day. It is okay, I promise the world will not stop turning.