It's that time of year - your mail box is jammed full of pamphlets - all urging you to splash out on something expensive and impress your true love ...

and you know that VALENTINES DAY is on the way.

Whether you're married, partnered or single -

[b]What does romance mean to you ?
(... and is Valentines Day over-rated ? )[color=white]

This message was edited by ~Anni~ on Tuesday, 1 February 2005 @ 2:16 PM

Well, I guess I will jump in and be first here!

Romance is doing somthing unexpected for someone else just because you love them.

So my perfect idea of valentines day would be my DP telling me to go relax in a bubble bath after work, sneaking DS out the door to his grandparents, cooking me dinner (and cleaning up after himself!) and snuggling in front of a girly movie, and and early night to bed.

Lol. I hope he reads this!


Regards,

Natalie

www.mikehill.org/flynn


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This message was edited by LittleMum on Tuesday, 1 February 2005 @ 2:49 PM

To me, romance is something that exists when two people love each other and are IN LOVE with each other, and as such should be an everyday occurance with the odd special demonstration of it.

Valentines Day is as good a day as any to demonstrate romance, but I am not dissapointed if I dont get a Valentine's Day present.

Also I like to think of Valentine's Day asa day to tell someone special that you love them and appreciate them. I send cards or emails to those people whom I love dearly letting them know that this is a day that I have chosen to honour them. And believeit or not, I send these messages to friends both male and female.

The most romantic Valentine's Day I have ever had would be 2 separate occasions bobth from my darling husband (one before marriage and one after marriage) The first one, he told me to put on my very best evening dress and he also dressed formerly and we went to a very exclusive restaurant with complete silver service etc, and I decided to propose to him. I waited and waited for the restaurant to become empty but it was so full of patrons I couldn't wait any longer and I got down on one knee, recited a beautiful poem and then asked if he would marry me. He decided he wanted to think about it (later he said no, which I didn't mind). He then gave me a whole heap of beanie kids (I collected them at the time) making the table look like a menagerie of stuffed toys.

The other one was when we were really financially challenged and he saved up and took me to a tepinyake restuarant and then later we had a moonlight stroll in a nearby park witha lookuout where he promptly presented me with champagne and chocolates and valenitines day special edition beanie kids. How cute! Not sure what will happen if anything this year, now we are financially strapped again and have DS with us. I dont really care though, he is ALWAYS my Valentine

Take care

Me - 41
Hubby - 42
Baby - son Joshua born 16/07/04 at 8lb 10z 20" long
<a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://lilypie.com/baby1/050716/2/12/0/+10" alt="Lilypie Baby Days" border="0" /></a>

Remember, be gentle with yourself
Love
Dobbieray

Both my husband and I believe that Valentines day is overrated. Prior to last year we would spend the evening together - maybe a picnic on the beach or something that is not too commercial - but a very special evening. Last year we were married on valentines day so now it is a very special day - funny how things change. This year we will celebrate our 1st anniversary and we have lots to be happy about.


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This message was edited by marshmallow on Monday, 14 February 2005 @ 2:06 PM

Romance should be unexpected, not for a planned day of the year.
We honestly don't really worry about it. DH gives me flowers but its not always on Valentines Day, i actually don't like him buying them on Valentines day as they hike up there prices something shocking just for that day.
We sometimes give little gifts or just say "i love you"
I am not fussed by Valentines day as its all hype, and everyone knows you should be loving EVERYDAY of the year.
I think Valentines Day means more for ppl who are trying to tell someone they like them, and it's the perfect day for it.
Caz
Caz
ME 27
DH Mat 29
DS JACK (22/05/02)
M/C (01/07/04)

<a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://lilypie.com/baby3/020522/0/2/1/+10" alt="Lilypie Baby Days" border="0"

EDD 20/06/05 : A GIRL!!
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I'm one of the lucky ones, everyday is Valentines day with my hubby and its not unusual for him to come home with flowers if he goes to the shop. He quite often comes home sees that I've had a bad one and says 'off to bed with you' and cooks dinner and takes care of DS.
We quite often plan 'surprise' weekends away, just a few weeks ago I took him up to Sydney for the weekend, I had arranged for mum and dad to have DS and we stayed at the Mecure @ Broadway. I arranged for a massage for him at 3pm followed by ## then dinner at star city and off to see the Lion King. Sunday we just wondered around China Town. It was a beautiful romantic weekend.

On Valentines day we don't do anything special but we do fun little things. Last year I had a ball puting together a seduction pack. The amount of guys who saw me and said they would love it if there wives did that. It wasn't anything special just novelty things like fur handcuffs, body paint, a coupon book which could be redeemed for things such as a night out with the boys, no nagging when they forget to put the loo seat down, that sort of thing. Really fun and silly.

I think its sad if you only get to be romantic one day a year.

Cheers
Sandra

Last year was the only 'real' time that we have celebrated valentines day by going away for the weekend.. this year couldnt care less. Love and romantic gestures are something unplanned for us to show each other how we feel.. not a set day of the year to do it..

Its too much for the shops..

[size=1][/size]

its valentines day every day in my house. Romance is understanding your partner and fighting for the other when they are down. Its about leaving that ego under the carpet and taking a step back to understand the other person.looks fade, flowers die and chocolate gets digested when all those things are gone and you still feel your heart beating in your chest, thats love. If your in a room with 1000 other people and you dont see any of them because your partner has just walked in the room - you know youve found your soulmate. Life isnt easy and its not always roses and whoever said a relationship shouldnt be hard it should just flow, yeah right thats not reality. Life is hard, relationships dont 'just' flow all the time but if you smile at least once a day when you think of your partner even for the most silliest thing - thats romantic. And when you bump eachother in the hall way in the middle of the night while one is changing a bub and the other is getting some milk for another and you kind of grunt at eachother, thats romantic how could it not be after all its the love that you have for eachother that created these lil miricles
people perceive romance in many different ways this is mine
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYONE


<center><font face="verdana,arial,sans-serif" size="1" color="black">Diamond #4 is on its way...</font><br /><a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://lilypie.com/days/051013/4/21/0/+10" alt="Lilypie Baby Ticker" border="0" /></a></center>


This message was edited by shayladiamond on Wednesday, 2 February 2005 @ 9:59 PM

I have to say that I always expect a little something on valentines day, but I always get something for him too.

Also I just wanted to say, Shayladiamond, that is really beautiful, what you wrote!

Shayladiamond - that was sooo beautiful, you put into words everything I feel, thank you.

Cheers
Sandra

I definitely think its overrated.

My DH isn't really the romantic type, i knew that
when I married him and i don't want him to change.
Our special day is our wedding anniversary.

Valentines day meant more to me when i was a
teenager before i was faced with the realities of
married life, kids and work!

Aslong as he still loves me and we are happy i
really couldn't careless if he remembered
valentines day or not.

Bradsmum

DS Bradley 6/4/02

All I wanted to say is that in 1989 I received an anonymous valentines card & I wish I knew who it was from. Still to this this day I'm none the wiser. Maybe better left that way.

I like the idea of Valentines day, but the commercial side spoils it for me.

DH and I have our anniversary just a few days before it, and that is our special day.

He is not a hugely romantic guy, but when he does surprise me he definitely knows how to make an impact and I treasure those times.

Personally, I don't find chocolates and roses to fulfill my definition of romance, which is probably just as well cause I almost never get those things from DH!

For me romance is in those funny, unexpected things, and sometimes least where you expect it:
- talking in bed in complete darkness, and playing footsies under the covers for no particular reason
- sitting outside at night and watching the moon and stars in silent wonder together
- when we first lived together in his tiny room and we shared sandwiches together with a candle, sitting on the floor (sounds very unromantic, but I guess you had to be there)
- paddling in together at twilight after a good few hours surfing
- a surprise bubblebath surrounded by tealights (he's done this quite a few times)

This story makes me think a lot about what we call 'romance' (warning: it's a tear-jerker):
http://www.lifetravellers.net/words/SHMILY.shtml

Have a lovely Valentines Day everyone!
TWH


Me - 32
DH - 31
"Prume-prume" 1st baby
EDD 27th Feb 2005

While I agree that romance is an everyday expression of love, I still enjoy Valentines day as I regard it as a day for myself and DH to do something extra special for each other whether it's dining out, buying a gift or going somewhere together.

Love,
Moneegirl


This message was edited by Moneegirl on Saturday, 5 February 2005 @ 8:31 PM

Oh, love the SHMILY story!

My most romantic moment was in 1999. My dh and I were not married yet, and had been writing letters for a year, as he was in nz, me australia. It was feb and he was visiting australia for a conference, and I was so excited to see him. We were 'just friends' but i really liked him and didn't really know how he felt. He was staying with a friend of mine, and one day we arranged to go for a walk on my favourite beach early in the morning. It was a perfect summer morning.

We were just walking along and suddenly he stopped, held my hands and said:
"Every time I think about you I want to kiss you. I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you." (It wasn't a proposal, just the first time he'd said 'I love you')

I was so overwhelmed that the one I loved, loved me back that I just melted into his shoulder and said "I love you too" It was such a relief to us both that we both felt the same way and I was soooo happy. I can still remember the smell of his neck as he held me, and whenever he wears the same aftershave I can't stop hugging and kissing him!

Know he knows what to wear when he wants some action!!!

Married
DD - 2 years, 3 months
DS- 3 months

Well I better get something for Valentine's Day, seeing that it is also my wedding anniversary.

Though I have been told that he will not be outdoing last years efforts.

I don't think Valentine's day is overrated. I do think it's overpriced.

Ciao Darli.

[center]

:..*..:For All Of Those Who Talk About Me....Thanks... For Me Making The Centre Of Your World:..*..:

Valentines day has never been really celebrated by us. My dh or I would organise a weekend away or a night out - sometimes as a surprise, others we organised together - but not on a specific date or even for any reason except to have some time together. THEN three years ago valentines day became a special day for another reason - our son was born on valentines day 2002. Now we have a celebration every year.

Sandra<BR>dd Riley 17/11/97<BR>ds Macklan 14/2/02<BR>2 mc 5/00, 10/00
http://sc.communities.msn.com/tn/2B/F2/ess...page/d6/afd.jpg
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/m/macklan.<BR>

I think it's pretty over rated. Flowers are more expensive on this one day of the year, just to name one particular thing.

We normally go out for dinner but that's about it. Every couple of years I get a bunch of roses but I must say I appreciate them more when given on no particular day.

Louise 30 married to Paul 31
Mum to Ella 10/12/2002

We always mark Valentines Day with something small, but now it's overshadowed by our wedding anniversary which is the day after. I sometimes wonder if restaurants think we are being cheapies when they see us the day after they have hiked up their prices!

As to what romance means to me ... in real life it's the little things that you do for each other that take your breath away.

I love it when DH gets home before I do - even if he's not doing anything special it's great to be met with a kiss.

Me (Rebecca) 30
DH (Jeremy) 33
EDD 16th July 2005

<a href="http://www.tickercentral.com"><img border="0" src="http://www.tickercentral.com/view/1gr1/1"></a>

Romance to me is doing little things to show your love for your partner, whether it be cooking a lovely meal, giving little pressies, helping out with the housework or kids, a hug and a kiss, or an "I love you" SMS

Romance is well and truly alive in this house, and Valentine's Day is just another day for us.



Me Kat 22*DH Jason 24*Married 20/03/04*TTC#1 Dec/02*PCOS since 15*1500mg Metformin*Ovarian drilling 18/08/04*4th & last round Clomid 6/1/05 FAILED
[img]http://www.tickercentral.com/view/2ma/1c[/img]

I don't think Valentines Day is over-rated. Especially when it comes once a year.

Romance for me is when my DH goes out of his way to do something nice for me, it shows me that his still thinking of me. I don't like receiving flowers or roses (as im not the flower type) but he knows that running a hot bath, making up my favourite salad and taking me to seafood restuarants does it for me.

Happy Valentines !!
I hope you enjoy your day.

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Gracie
DH 30
DD

I was just having a read and came across shayladiamond's beautiful words and couldn't help but stop to say that was so beautiful..





Trudi
Proud Mum to
Luke 14 Renae 9 Kurt 1

~Amie-Lee & Emily~
http://www.ttts.8k.com/emilyamielee.html
http://teddyloveclub.4t.com

What does romance mean to you ?

It's all those little things that make the difference. Love notes left out for you to find. Rose petals all over your bed and candles lining your hallway to your room (DH did this one year). It's saying "I love you" spontaneously (and not just because you've gone and bought him his favourite bevarage or snack *hehe*).




(... and is Valentines Day over-rated ? )

Of course it is!!!!!!!


Carrie

DD Tayla Jade 01/12/98
DD Rhiannah Kathleen May 29/08/02
Clucky bug is biting!
Rethinking when to TTC for #3

Bumping

Sandra

Feedback thread:
http://www.essentialbaby.com/CFForum/viewm...12&topic=131805

ha ha, I got one once but um I knew his handwriting! lol I never mentioned it!

Tracy (32)
DH Andrew (28)
DS Elijah (1)
DCat Cleo (11)
TTC#2 Casually

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we have only just had our wedding anniversary (9years)and because it is so close to valentines day we dont worry about it. my anniversary is more important to me - dont get me wrong if he comes home with flowers on valentines day then even better. lol.

[b]HAPPY VALENTINES DAY !

[size=3]Hope you all had a lovely day - no matter what you did

For those who'd like to share - how did your day go ???

,..

This message was edited by jazlynsmum on Saturday, 19 February 2005 @ 3:51 PM

Romance to me is the little things in life.

Saying I look pretty when I make a special effort to look nice, giving me a hug and I love you when we wake up/get home from work, treating me respectfully, doing little surprises for me, like the dishes or bringing home a flower, leaving a love note.

I don't want that stuff to ever be relegated to one day a year...

But hey I'm single so what would I know about it??

Jess and Mathew

My Little Man, Mathew[br]

I'd also like to add that shayliadiamond is spot on the money...

Thats beautiful... I wish/hope/pray that one day I have a relationship like that.



Jess and Mathew

My Little Man, Mathew[br]

We have been married for 5 years. We believe that Valentine's day is overrated, too comercialized. Nonetheless...I don't mind receiving something as a surprise. This something shouldn't be expensive, shouldn't break the bank, but should be spontaneous.

As usual, my husband thought that Valentine's day is on the 12th of February. So I got ahead of everybody else..lol. Then I said to him jokingly, he still got 2 more days to organize flowers and chocolate for me. He just took it lightly. On the 14th of Feb in the morning, I said to him, that I would be just staying at home just in case the florist man would come and deliver the flowers. I said this with my straightface, trying very hard not to laugh. My husband was having a good chuckle, but then he realized that I was serious (I was pretending). He sensed that he will be in trouble that day...( I nearly went to the loo to release my laughter). He then hurriedly went to the backyard with just his singlet and undies on as he was getting ready to go to work, and picked up a nice hibiscus for me. Now that is romantic.....!!! Lucky the neighbour didn't poke their nose to see what's going on. We had a good laugh after that, even my 20 months old son was giggling too.

Warm regards,
Indomum

I think it is totally over rated. WAY too commercialised.

I dislike Valentines Day nearly as much as I dislike Barbie (that evil wench ;p ).

Yet, when DP & DD got home from a walk, and DP said 'go give them to mummy' and she proceeded to run up to me and hand over 3 squashed frangipani's that she had held so tightly in her little hands on the way home, and DP then produced a gorgeous hibiscus (obviously picked from a tree down the road) I was truly happy. Didn't matter that this was 14 Feb, as this happens most days they go out together for a walk.

Those flowers picked from a strangers tree mean more to me than any 'ordered' bouquets. Regardless of the day

As many have said 'Valentines Day' should just be every day..



take care...
Lynn
DP David
My DS Brad 07/11/83 - 22 in 2005
Our M/C March 02 8wks
Our DD Alice 13/03/03 - 2 in 2005

I don't like Valentines Day but that's because it's also my birthday. People say "how how wonderful- you must get extra spoilt" but I'm lucky to get one thing from DH let alone two!
This year we went out to dinner without the kids on the Saturday before. I had a lovely meal, but it was just as much for DH as it was for me. I was the one who had to ring up and book it and organise my sister to babysit.

But I must admit, that on my actual birthday I had a lovely day. I went to my gym class as usual, and someone (I think it was my gorgeous friend) had told the instructors it was my birthday. So before the class started, they called me up and gave me a bunch of balloons and a card and gift. It was so thoughtful and really started my day off well! The rest of the day was great because I went off and had a facial (no kids!) and relaxed for an hour or so. Bliss!!!

Actually, stuff valentines day. I'm going to make it a rule from this year on that I'm going to organise one special pampering thing for me on my birthday where I have someone doing something for me! Facial or hair or massage- as long as I'm the one getting looked after.

But to actually answer the OP- yes valentines day is overrated!



Zoe

"Stinker" 03/06/01
"Me-will" 06/08/02
"Weeman" 07/09/04

Zoe, I think I would be like you if it was my birthday - I think the pampering is a GREAT idea!

Me - 32
DH - 31
"Prume-prume" 1st baby
EDD 27th Feb 2005

Wasn't Valentines Day created by Hallmark?

I got a single rose in my locker for 4 years in a row at high school. I still don't know who they were from!

I dunno about the actual day - I agree with the things others have said about romance being incorporated into daily lif, but I quite like the idea of a special day where the usual grind is put on hold for a bit while we pretend we're 25 and newly in love again.

My idea of romance is my man cleaning the house! There is nothing more romantic to me than him saying "you just sit down, I'll do those dishes/vaccuum/fold the washing". You can keep the cards and flowers and chocolates.

I too think Valentines day is too much about Coles/Myer (and other shops) these days. Its all a bit of fun though.
Heres some facts about Valentines day (traditions, history etc) I found

http://www.pictureframes.co.uk/pages/saint_valentine.htm

enjoy and belated Valentines Day ;p

cheers!