by Malaika Booker-Wright

It started out as a day that couples celebrated their love for each other. A loving card with pink roses on the cover, and tear-jerking words used to be enough.

A Flower So Fine
A dozen long stemmed red roses, soft to the touch and sweet to the scent, used to be enough. A box of dark chocolate candies that melts in your mouth used to be enough. A romantic candle-lit dinner with aromas of your favorite foods used to be enough. To simply say, “Happy Valentine’s Day. I love you,” in your softest whisper, used to be enough.

Today, this day is celebrated by all: Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends.

Diamonds in the Rough
Today, you buy ten carat diamond gold rings that shine as bright as the sun. These rings are as large as doorknobs. It’s like lifting a five pound weight just to wave “hi.” Today, you take cruises on the aqua sea; a cruise with a million chattering people that sound like bees buzzing around your head. Why be around so many people, when you only need to be around the one you love?

Today, you buy ten ton stereo systems with speakers as large as doorways. Those systems emit such ear-piercing noise that glass begins to break each time you turn them on.

Beyond TV
Today, you buy television sets as big as movie screens. Sets so big, you have to watch television in the next room to see the entire screen.

Today, you buy rooms full of appliances. Why not start your own electronic and appliance store?

Today, you go to a restaurant as extravagant as a castle. You’re served a two hundred dollar rubbery lobster. You drink three hundred dollar champagne just because the King of England stomped the grapes himself. Who wants to drink something that some funky, corn chip feet have stomped anyway?

Conclusion
All this to say something that you should say everyday, anyway. What’s the point?