Today I received the following:

• 3 hugs
• 1 hearty handshake
• 5 cards
• 2 boxes of chocolates
• 1 dozen cupcakes
• 1 marriage proposal from a stranger (seriously.)

In case you haven't noticed, today is Valentine's Day. Never before has there been such a divisive holiday. Sure, there are those who say that Christmas is

too

Christian, and therefore 'un-American.' There are those who say that Thanksgiving glazes over the genocide of an entire native population. These are petty squabbles compared to the annual war waged between the pro-Valentine camp and the anti-Valentine camp, also known as couples versus singles. While I have personally spent some years dabbling in both the couples and singles camps, I have never been one to dig my heels too firmly on either side. Is it overly commercialized? Yes. Is it annoying to read people's Facebook statuses about how much they hate or love the day? Yes. But... isn't it essentially harmless? A qualified yes! Just have fun and don't take it too seriously.

This year, I have experienced Valentine's Day in a completely different way. I have endured a Valentine's Day working in retail. Yes, it is quite an experience. I was quite surprised by the number of (mostly) men coming into the store the

actual day of

Valentine's Day. I applaud the fact that they 'remembered,' and were able to pick out a gift before it was too late. They were all from different ages and backgrounds but these brave men had one thing in common: they wanted to make their significant others happy. And despite the fact that their shopping was a little last minute, they all actually put some thought into their jewelry selections. Most men knew the styles and colors that their partners liked. I was most impressed by the men who knew the right ring sizes to get. They either memorized the size number or would slip the ring onto their own pinkies and gauge the sizes that way. One man said to me, "After 35 years together, I always know the right size to get because if the ring slides down to the first knuckle of my pinky, it'll fit her."

I was running around the store by myself trying to help everyone who came in, and one kind gentleman said to me, "You must be tired trying to help everyone by yourself." I just smiled back at his concern and said, "Yes, it can get a little tiring but it's worth it to know that so many people are going to be happy when they get their nice presents." The gentleman was a little surprised by my answer but he replied, "Well, I hope you get a nice present too. You certainly deserve it." What a nice thing to say. I found though that the number of kind people today far outnumbered the grouchy ones. If this is what Valentine's Day is all about, then I might plant myself in the pro-Heart Day camp after all.