move over, valentines. it's my birthday.

throughout my birthday years, people have always commented what a lucky girl i was for being a "valentines baby". my friends and family would tease my boyfriends-to-be and say how he would have his hands full. as a result, i vowed that i would never make my boyfriend celebrate valentines day and i've held true to my promise. to this day, z and i have not celebrated valentines day and for the past couple of years, z has begun to hate the "holiday" because he can never make reservations, or take me out because of all the lovebirds who are out to express their love for one night. (funny side note: z was actually conceived on valentines day! his birthday is exactly 9 months and 1 day after mine.)

i don't hate valentines day for reasons that people with holiday birthdays hate it because unlike their birthdays that get overlooked, i have experienced the contrary: people always remember my birthday b/c it's on valentines. instead, i hate it for reasons singles hate it. i hate it for reasons that people who can't afford buying flowers, chocolates, and teddy bears for their lovers hate it. i hate it for the same reason why people who love and give everyday to the people they love hate it. and in spite of valentines day being a great way to help this disastrous economy, i hate that companies out there are making massive amounts of money on a day that should be representing anything but that. i hate that at this very moment, someone out there is feeling miserably lonely and sad because they have no one to share their love with on this day.

maybe later on in my life the hatred i have for this hallmark holiday will go away, who knows?

but today, i am being so overwhelmed with love and not because it's valentines day, but because it's my birthday. the day i was born. people are loving me because i came into this world and they are happy to acknowledge that i am here: breathing and smiling and being me. that makes me happier than any box of chocolates can.

here i am, world. 27 years young. happy birthday to me.

xoxox