Valentine’s Day priorities off

I'm not really into romance.

Sure, it's nice to be treated special every now and then. But I don't need someone to woo me. I don't need spark. I don't need charm.

And I definitely don't need candlelight dinners or fresh cut roses.

No way.

That's the problem with today's Valentines Day - it's too splashy, too fancy. I'm sure when Valentine's Day was established a million years ago, it was a sweet, light-hearted holiday where couples exchanged small tokens of affection - a single rose, a handwritten note, a kiss.

Simple.

I bet Valentine's gifts were inexpensive and thought-provoking back then. Not huge expressions of love - million dollar necklaces, bouquets of flowers that cost a handful of Ben Franklins.

And it's not even the money that bothers me. Sure, sometimes I can be a penny-pincher, but that's not really the issue here.

Even couples who spend very little on Valentines Day sometimes can go over the top.

You know what I'm talking about. Scavenger hunts with notes and roses. Chocolate-covered strawberries. Scattered rose petals leading to the next surprise.

What ever happened to simple? What ever happened to genuine and thoughtful?

I'd settle for dinner and a movie. Or a simple bouquet of flowers - not roses, please.

A card with a nice handwritten note would make me happy, too.

I really don't need someone to sweep me off my feet - and if you do, I think you probably need to take a look at your boyfriend or girlfriend and ask yourself why he or she isn't enough.

Being with your significant other on Valentine's Day really should be what's important.

Sure, it would be nice to exchange presents or do something fun, but I don't think

Valentine's Day should make or break a person or relationship.

Certainly, there are Valentine's gifts that are just unacceptable.

If your significant other forgets Valentine's Day completely - dump ‘em. If he or she shows up with lingerie or gas station flowers - tell them to hit the road.

But if your boyfriend or girlfriend just simply doesn't spend enough money on you or doesn't waste four hours planning the big event, it's probably going to be OK.

Seriously, a simple ‘I love you' is way better than sitting alone at home watching boxed chocolate commercials with your cat, Felix.

I think that's the problem with Valentine's Day - it's this huge competition to see who tops who.

It's about reassuring your significant other that you deserve each other, that you're right for one another, that you're good enough to keep.

But in reality, the point of Valentine's Day is to celebrate the fact that you have someone to celebrate with, not parade your romance in front of those who don't.

Remember? Valentine's Day is about love. Not money.