Happy Valentine’s Day. Wait, I take that back because I don’t really mean it. The older I grow, the more I hate this cheesy day and I’m so glad it falls on a Sunday this year. Maybe if I stay home all day, I won’t have to deal with all the wanna-be Romeos out there eager to impress their naïve objects of interest.

Ladies, take the chocolate and any other lavish gifts and at the end of the day, make up some excuse about an emergency or work commitment. Another of those times I’m glad I’m not a guy and so don’t have to waste my hard earned money on things like flowers that many people don’t even appreciate or overpriced dinners "for two” as nearly all women expect the man to take care of the bill on this "special day”. 

Speaking of dinner, am I the only one who cringes every time tipsy couples get all cuddly at restaurant counters?

I find it so ridiculous and one of these days, I just might tell the lovey-dovey couple to get a room. I don’t do PDA and certainly don’t like seeing it and this is not to say I’m jealous of those who want everybody to know they’re together. 

I just don’t like it. If you’re in love, I’m happy for you but it’s your business and a packed restaurant is not the place for it. Like I said, I definitely will be staying home and let all the lovers have their moment. Perhaps the only things I like about Valentine’s Day are love songs and movies. 

Before you call me a hypocrite, I do like romance or at least the idea of romance and what’s romance without romantic movies and there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a good film about people in love but I can’t even go out to the cinema so I’ll just rent a movie or something. 

Tell me you didn’t keep score of my repeated use of the "R” word! Again, I swear I’m not a hypocrite. I also like cards, no, not giving or sending them out but just reading the words on them, something I learnt from my Mum. 

She would buy you a plain-looking Birthday card but the message was always touching. I’m sure someone saw me in the book section in Nakumatt and assumed I was prepping for the big day. Well, I’ll have you know I wasn’t.

I just remembered a friend at university who lived for Valentine’s Day. She told us she hoped her boyfriend would propose on February 14th and that if things worked out and the two of them got married, she wanted the wedding around that time. I should call her and see if those plans worked out.

I’m pretty sure she’s one of those people who would name their children Valentino or Valencia. No offence if that’s your name but how cheesy is that? I would change my name. My heart also goes out to all those whose birthday falls on this day. They are the ones who should be out celebrating.