General News
14 February, 2025
February 14: no different to February 15, right?
Beyond the romantic glow of Valentine's Day.
Ah, the day after Valentine's Day.
February 15 is kind of like the day after your birthday. You can have this post-dopamine glow as the memories of doing something nice.
Eventually, reality hits and we have to mow the lawn and do the grocery shopping.
It's a double whammy for someone born on February 14 and has to share the day with everyone else in the world.
Valentine's Day can be celebrated in different ways around the world.
In Japan, women buy men chocolate. Sounds pretty good. There's friendzone chocolate and 'true feelings chocolates' for husbands, boyfriends and desired partners.
On March 14, the men return the favour with gifts. Sounds exhausting.
In Ireland, some people make a pilgrimage to the Shrine of St Valentine in Dublin, where they can pray for true love.
There's plenty of money on the line too, with estimates of about $20 billion spent in the United States in 2025.
That's a lot of oysters and champagne.
Maybe it's the old head in me, but I'm a big fan of treating February 14 like any other day.
Yes, it's nice to get some chocolates, give some flowers, and reflect, but what about the other 364 days of the year?
When we read about couples celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, you don't hear them say 'He remembered every Valentine's Day'.
It's the things we do outside of Valentine's Day that count.
But it is a good excuse to put on Pretty Woman and cuddle on the couch.
Have a great weekend.
Ben Fraser, Editor