When I was growing up, my mom used to give us all gifts on Valentine’s Day. Pyjamas and chocolates were popular choices for her. It was always an awkward moment because the words to say how we truly felt usually escaped us and in moments like these it was evident that all parties wanted to say something appreciative but didn’t know how to go about doing so.
It is for reasons like this that I don’t associate/equate gifts as automatically equally meaningful gestures and Valentine’s Day as only a day for romantic partners. I love the idea of people letting me know how much they appreciate and love me. I love the idea of putting pride aside and letting love do its thing. Perhaps it is because I have always longed for this in all of my relationships.