No sooner have the detritus of Christmas and the debris of the January sales finished, the shops and media are encouraging us to spend more on our loved ones. The heart shaped chocolate boxes are out in forces alongside anything pink, red or black, as are the overpriced clinched dozen red roses are being picked just in time for the 14th of February. Yes its St. Valentines Day or as I call it "Soppy Day". Its the day to show your love and affection for that special person in your life or who you want in your life. I must say I have very mixed feelings about this festival dedicated to the Roman martyr who saved doomed lovers. Part of me is pretty cynical about it all. You can see me my arms folded indignantly saying 2its all commercialised rubbish". I suppose I think it is a great day for those who fancy someone or those in a new relationship, but it does not matter to those terminally single who just find it vomit inducing or those happily couple for years who don't need a certain day to celebrate their love for each other. My boyfriend M and I have joked about having our own St. Valentines perhaps in August! However there is the romantic teenager in me that is normally kept slightly hidden that secretly yearns to be spirited away for a special day with a champagne picnic and a handmade old fashioned card all lace and little cherubs. Since the big day is fast approaching and M is dropping subtle hints to what we may do on the 13th (since the actual day is Monday a working day) I thought I would share my memories and experiences of St. Valentines Day.

"I'm Just a Teenager In Love"

My early memories of Valentine's Day come from American cartoon shows like Peanuts. My parents certainly did not send each other cards or anything else until I was much older. I do remember making a Valentine card in primary school perhaps in primary six but that us about it.

As a teenager I remember all the magazine articles in Jackie and Just 17 on how to get the boy you fancied on Valentine's Day and what a particular type of card would mean. I remember every year during secondary school there would be people asked to come to the school office on the tannoy at registration and you knew it would be to pick up an anonymous card. I suppose, as a daydreaming romantic (as are most teenage girls) I secretly wanted this to happen to me, but deep down , as Miss Slightly Weird the harsh reality was that I was never going to get a card. Not even one from my father, as they were not that type of parents. I find it a bit corny a dad sending his daughter a valentine.

The first card I clearly remember sending (I may have sent a couple before to boys at school) was to a guy at my church when I was going through my religious phase when I was 16. He was about four years older than I and at university. He was good looking and nice nature and I had a massive crush on him, as he seemed so sophisticated. I bought the card from Opus which was a little crafty type shop in Dumfries., I believe it was all hearts and Victorians and I felt so proud of myself sending it. it. He must have worked it out, as I remember him thanking me for it perhaps in the May but my effort was to no avail, as he was too busy at university and not looking for a girlfriend.

"Stupid Cupid"

It took until I was nearly 18 to receive my first card. It was from the guy who would become my first true love and first proper boyfriend. We "met" as penpals in the January and he soon a"asked me out". I was thrilled to bits to receive that card.

Perhaps the least romantic gift i ever got from a boyfriend was an Easter Egg. Yes I know it was chocolate but Easter was at least five or six weeks away. Just because they are in the shops from January does not make them a suitable Valentine's present. I know I should have been grateful but that year I was a bit bemused and spent most of the evening in a huff with my then boyfriend. He was never ultra romantic but he was forgiven in years to come. We did have some nice personal valentine's days together. I rememberer the year I bought cookie dough and made it into heart shaped cookies. I'm always tempted to recycle that idea, as it was a fun thing to do and a personal gesture. Another year we had a chocolate fondue, which was rather yummy.

"My Funny Valentine"

I suppose the most memorable days for me have been recently. In the past two years I have been spoiled rotten by successive boyfriends brandishing chocolates , flowers, balloons and perhaps my favourite a beautiful pendant made by a friend of a friend. I always think personal is very much the key although sometimes the grand gesture is great, as it just sweeps you away.

So what's in store for this year? For the first time since primary school my card is a home made one. My mum is a total genius at card making so we sat down together and made my rough ideas into a really personal card. With a photo of us on the front and lyrics to one of our special songs inside instead of a corny verse. I've also filled a nice gift box with all of M 's favourite sweets. I really hope he likes what I have got him and can't wait to see his face when he opens the card. Perhaps this year will be the most memorable Valentines' Day. Who knows. I can't wit to find out. and will update this if it is very special which I am sure it will be.

=== update===


Today was a really lovely day. m thoughtfully bought me the DVD of Creation" the first film we saw at the cinema together. That was a lovely personal touch , Oh and he also got me some e Thorntons chocolates. I was intrigued what we were doing as M said it could be outdoors. We got he train into london and then headed fo rthe river. Was it the London Eye for a champagne flight? No our venue was moored just across the river then there. I've often walked past the Tatershall Castle which is a floating bar/restaurant and must have once said to M I fancied eating there one day. He must have remembered as we had an unusual lunch bobbing up and down on the river watching all the other boats sail by. i had some wonderful hallumi filled roast red peppers and a side of garlic bread and he had the ham and eggs. After our meal we wandered over to Covent Garden and ended up at he Maple llaf pub where we went for drinks on our first date. This part was unplanned but just felt just so right.