An Unvalentiney Valentine
All I wanted for Valentine's Day is an amazing kiss...just not from my husband, since I've been kissing him for 10 years. It's like switching from Pepsi to Coke once in a while. It doesn't mean I love Pepsi any less... And why shouldn't it be fine with him, since love is supposed to be unconditional! Wishful thinking! In reality, love is conditional, jealous and very selfish.
When we are younger, love is pure, selfless, blind, mad, and fearless. We are more open to taking risks, being in love, letting go and trusting a complete stranger with our precious hearts! Possibly because we are still innocent and heartbreak is only a myth.
As we get older, fear takes over our mind, heart and the very idea of any illogical behaviour. We fear getting hurt, becoming vulnerable and being taken for granted. Yet, the point of love is to be vulnerable; to be so open and not hesitate to give the most important and delicate part of our being...our heart. We still seek love but are careful. We think and analyze and try to be logical, about the most illogical emotion in the world.
At 17, a crush feels like love. At 20, an interaction for hours transforms into love. At 24, friendship transpires into love. At 32, we have titles such as; friendship, crush, infatuation, confidant, lust...no room left for love! And somewhere in between, love becomes a statistic, celebrated on February 14th, promoting the enormous sales of condoms, Viagra and home pregnancy tests.
Love is the strongest emotion but also the stupidest and perhaps the most difficult to deal with. It can turn a decent human being into a complete idiot, or an idiot into Prince Charming. It's irrational, demanding, needy, desperate and jealous. Nonetheless, love gives a high where Heavens are attainable and Hell becomes nonexistent.
Love cannot thrive with or without fear. In order to fall in love, fearlessness is the only requirement. However, love also reveals the fear in everyone. For some, it's the fear of heartbreak, while for others; it's simply a political/religious agenda to spread fear. Recently, some political parties in India suggested Valentine’s Day was a symbol of Western Imperialism and vehemently opposed it. Meanwhile, the government of Saudi Arabia even stopped vendors from selling anything red on February 14th.
To me, Valentine’s Day is commercialism at its best. Why must we taint and blemish love with chocolates, red paper hearts and semi wilted roses or even politics? Can we not leave love alone to occur naturally, on its own accord...in hearts; away from interference, control and any reality of cultural and societal prejudices or norms.
Comments
I enjoyed the bitter, sarcastic humor and kudos for writing so bravely. More writers need to come forward and openly express such emotions. It makes you human, and as a writer you represent emotions the average guy or gal can't openly express based on as you aptly put it, fears. God has blessed you with beauty and brains and a sense of humor. Your husband is one lucky dude.
Marvin T. What's the confusion? A beautiful woman wants a kiss, I take it as a statement, a declaration.
You pointed out stuff about love we tend to forget as we get older. Made me think of my very first crush! Your articles are a breath of fresh air. Well written and connect with the average Joe.
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