How will you spend Valentine’s Day?

Gone are the days of sitting by the front door, waiting for the postman to arrive laden with red envelopes on Valentine’s Day. It never actually happened, but every year I dreamt my knight would sweep me off my feet with one of Clinton’s finest cards.

Now the only red envelopes that are likely to drop through the letterbox are bills I’ve forgotten to pay. And let’s face it, no-one dreams of having their phone cut off on Valentine’s Day.

I wouldn’t say I’m cynical about it – I have no problem being wooed with flowers or gifts – but I absolutely hate shopping for Valentine’s cards. 

I honestly felt nauseous the last time I did it, and left with the least romantic one I could find. Messageless inside, the front read: ‘Resistance is Futile’. It wasn’t a massive hit.

I think my problem is that ‘love poems’ and clichéd phrases mean nothing to me. I don’t want someone to promise to “love me to the moon and back”, that’s not even possible! I think genuine, heartfelt words and gestures – however small – are so much better.

A packet of love hearts under the pillow, a message in the steam on the bathroom mirror, a trip to the zoo… it really doesn’t matter as long as you have put some thought into it and are doing something that you know your loved one will really like. 

I’ve also realised love isn’t only for couples. Whether you’re in a relationship or not, you can show love to someone on February 14. 

I was really touched to see that Kate Middleton (or Catherine Mountbatten-Windsor as she is officially known) will be spending Valentine’s at Alder Hey children’s hospital this year.

She could have spent the day moping over Wills, who is in the Falklands with the RAF, and forgotten about the rest of the world. But her decision to visit kids with serious illnesses is a wonderful way to spend Valentine’s Day, and I’m sure it will put a smile on many faces, young and old.

So what can we do to show real love on this over-commercialised occasion? Perhaps we could offer to babysit for a couple that is struggling to spend time together. Or visit someone who has lost a husband or wife. Or maybe we could find a special gift for someone who is in need.

Whatever we do, let’s make love an everyday event. We don’t have to send a card to tell people we love them – although they might like it if you do. 

It’s about using whatever we have to reach others: on February 14 and the other 364 days of the year.

After all, the Bible makes no reference to Valentine’s Day, but it mentions love more than 300 times. It’s a God-given commandment, and – at the risk of sounding super cheesy myself – one that has the power to change the world.

Feel free to tell us below how you’ll be spending Valentine’s Day this year. 

Read more from Joy in the upcoming edition of Liberti magazine.