It’s Not Just About Love

Did you remember to wish the love of your life a Happy Valentine’s Day today? If not you may be in the doghouse. Representing the day of love, Valentine’s Day in Costa Rica is even more special. Practising the Pura Vida…. pure life, Valentine’s Day in Costa Rica is only an extention of the love that Ticos feel throughout the year.

With Internet dating, technology including texting and emailing, the art of romance seems to have gone by the wayside. Courtship and getting to know someone through conversation and time seems to have disappeared. Instead expressions are shown in 140 charcters, by LOL (not lots of love) and by @.com. Gone are the days when you wrote a love letter to your significant other to express your feelings. Gone are the days that a relationship was longer than a first date and most importantly gone are the parameters that life is all about us and not just you.

With divorce rates on the rise and expectations of what a great relationship is, what does Valentine’s Day mean to most. For retailers it means money. With prices raised on roses, bouquets of flowers, restaurants and chocolate and jewellery who is the true receipent of our love… the cash register. What ever happened to a home cooked meal and hand made card? Being personal and taking the time to make something as an expression of one’s love has basically disappeared. Instead commercialism rules.

For me Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to be grateful for all the love in my life. From my husband to my beautiful dogs and cats, to my family and close friends. Today was a reflection of what a truly loving life I have and although things may not always seem like they are on the right track, I know that my love for others and the love that surrounds me is what grounds me and keeps me living my life.

For the romantics, the admires and the lovers, Happy Valentine’s Day. Spend the day loving someone and receiving some love back. Pura Vida Valentine!