Happy friendship day!
A fresh insight on Valentine's day. And why giving out free hugs today is a great way to express the meaning of Valentine´s day! Do you dare?!
Going through my Substack archives I realized I had not written before on Valentine’s day. At least I thought so. But I will come back on that later!
Taking a walk in the wintery freshly fallen snow, I wondered why I had not. Perhaps because I have lived most of my life in the Netherlands, where Valentine's day is always a bit of a commercial thing that flew over from the US. As if supermarkets, restaurants, flower shops and bakeries need to generate a bit of extra income between the high seasons of selling Christmas trees, Christmas cakes and Easter eggs. Ok, I admit, I have fallen in the trap to buy as well!
Nevertheless, I always felt it is a bit unfair that Valentine's day is an exclusive celebration for those who are in a relationship. Or for those who seize the day to express their love to someone. Anonymous or not.
Today I learnt a valuable lesson
Valentine's day is not only about showing love exclusively to the ‘one and only’. In many countries Valentine's day is a day that is meant to celebrate any kind of friendship or connection between human beings.
A grandmother who goes to see her granddaughter performing in the daycare specially for Valentine’s day.
A by mail posted paper postcard, thanking a good friend for being part of each other’s life and never ending support.
Handing out flowers on the street to strangers.
Standing with a card board in the middle of the shopping center on which is written ‘FREE HUGS TODAY’.
Why write about Valentine's day?
Taking the religious, cultural and commercial significance aside:
Valentine's day is not only happening on the 14th of february!
Not a day goes by that you and I experience love in some way.
Every hug you give or are given.
Every little message you send or receive.
Every encouraging few words you may give to a parent struggling with the tantrum toddler on the tram.
Every handkerchief you offer in the metro to that person who is silently crying.
Every book you read or movie you watch for sure has one way or another the topic love as part of the plot. May it be in a good way or not..
Someone asked me recently: where do you get inspiration to write about. Well I did not have to think long to give an answer: all of the above are my secret sources.
Have I ever written a short story that fits in the Valentine’s day theme?
Actually, I did.
Why am I not surprised it was not in February.
THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF MY SUBSTACK COMMUNITY!