Valentine's Day Expectations: What Are Yours?

Ah, February 14th. The day that cupid takes his bow and arrow, dips it in all things red and pink, and rocket fires it into the hearts and minds of women who simply want to be adored. And sent flowers.

Of course "these" women want to be adored (and given cards) all year round, not just on a particularly  chocolatey and pre-fixed menu kind of a day. In fact, I'm pretty sure most of "these" women find Valentine's day to be kind of lame and would rather stay home, crack open a bottle of wine, have a good laugh, eat some ice cream, watch "Jersey Shore" and have fantastic sex... With another person present, that is. 

Unfortunately though, due to a heavy influx of "what is YOUR man gonna do for YOU" messaging in the media, expectations tend to flare around the 14th. From commercials, to ads, to articles like these (you're welcome), we, I mean "these" women can't help but hope for a little extra romance.  Trust me, "they" don't want to have these expectations, but it just happens.  In fact, most of "THEM" pride themselves on being the cool chick that actually expects nothing… Because Valentine's Day is, like, soooooooo lame… and Oh, who cares…. and Oh, it's a school/work night anyway. But if I may speak candidly on behalf of "these" (ridiculously) cool chicks: Is it really too much to ask for a little (shout) display (from the rooftops) of flirt and love (in the form of a card. With lots of words) for just one night??? I can guarantee both parties will find themselves in a win win situation.

Just to get a sense of what my lady friends out there think about Valentine's expectations, I asked this on Twitter & Facebook:

Do you have any Valentine's Day expectations? Cards, chocolate, dinner, hot sex, a piece of jewelry, what?? From little to huge, tell me what, if anything, you expect from your partner (and then what you really get).

• Sarah:  While I don't have many expectations because I don't want to participate in the mass consumerism of V-Day, I'd love a small thoughtful gesture such as my favorite homemade meal or a back rub (although a spa certificate would be nice for "me time" now that I'm a mom...so much for my anti-consumerism position!)
• Michelle: I'm my own partner this year. I'm planning on buying myself a new jewelry box to replace the one the ex bought me over 20 years ago. Hopefully I will live up to my own expectations!
• Cigal:  Roses!
• Samantha: All of the above or no sex!!!! Hahahahh!!!!
• Sara: None of the above!!! LOL.

Okay, so what does this boil down to....? What do women really want on Valentine's Day...? Will we be happy if, on Tuesday the 14th (who's counting), you look lovingly into our eyes amidst a commercial break of our DVR'd "Bachelor" to tell us how beautiful we are and how much you love us? Yes! Absolutely. 

Essentially, we just want be recognized, appreciated, and admired. At the end of the day, no matter which day it actually is, it doesn't even matter how you show us OR how you tell us you love us, as long as you make sure we know it.  And just in case anyone cares, there are actually cards that do both…