Nothing Says "I Love You" Like...

...this guy

At least that's what I must have thought last year, when I took this picture as an homage to Valentine's Day.

Now before you go judging me, I spent that auspicious holiday with two of my very best friends, and neither of them was charmed into my bed with this token of affection. Dummies.

Even though his message is lewd and his eyes are a little wonky, I rather appreciate this guy's frank approach to a holiday that has been forever fraught with mixed Hallmark messages and trite platitudes etched into hearts with expiration dates.

Somewhat like the grinch, this guy's holiday comes without chocolates, it comes without flowers. It comes without jewelry and cards. But it comes, perhaps, with cold showers? I mean really. I can't imagine anything, heart or otherwise, growing three sizes at receiving this message.

Whatever. It's no big deal to me how people want to mark this day. I, for one, will be in the hospital this year. It doesn't sound that great, but it'll be a day dedicated to showing people I love how much they mean to me, and that's the way I like to spend Valentine's Day.

As I mentioned, last year I spent February 14th with two of my besties. We met in Austin for a girl's vacation, and we dedicated the time to working out differences,

strengthening our commitments to each other,

marking our bodies as proof of our affections,

and promising each other we would do anything for love,

except that. We won't do that.

So you see? There's no reason to hate on this holiday. Nor is there any reason to put too much stock by what you do or don't receive from a loved one. Valentine's Day doesn't have to be about champagne and roses (well, maybe it should be about champagne because champagne is delicious). But it is a special day.

It's a special day because it provides an excuse to tell the special people in your life,

It's a special day because even if you don't have a significant other,

and that's something to celebrate.

So join me in reframing this lover's holiday.

Claim it as a holiday for people who love, for people who you love. And go ahead and say the things you don't say on the other days of the year because you aren't brave enough or you just don't take the time. You just go ahead. Even if all you find that all you really have to say is...

Is there really any better way to sell chicken?

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