By Joanna Cattanach – Editor of Chick Talk Dallas

I still remember my first real Valentine’s Day. It was 1989 and his name was John. He wore glasses and his mom was a doctor.

Everyone exchanged Valentine’s Day cards but John’s was special. I made sure to pick out the one that said “I love you”. I still remember the tingling sensations that ran up and down my fourth grade arms as I dropped my sucker Valentine card in his paper sack.We’d been courting via notes and at lunch time in the cafeteria but Valentine’s Day was an important milestone in our recess romance.

Sadly, it would be 15 years before I received another Valentine’s Day card from a boy who mattered to me—my husband. I’m not saying I didn’t want to receive some V-Day love, but fourth grade was the last time I was a hot item in school. Puberty, glasses, braces, acne and nerdiness set in soon after and my school years.  Even in college, Valentine’s Day was usually spent alone or with other single girlfriends.

I’m not ashamed of my years spent solo, of the chocolate I bought for myself, or the alcohol I drank in celebration of single’s awareness day. In fact, if I hadn’t spent so much time without teddy bears and roses I doubt I would appreciate February 14^th the way I do now that I have my own Valentine.

He’s great. And I want to luxuriate in greeting cards with cheesy love messages. I expect flowers. Dinner must be scheduled. Plans must be made. Each year my husband tries to get me to spell out what I want and each year I tell him the same thing, “This is your job. Make it wonderful.”

So I don’t understand why women tell their husbands or boyfriends, “Don’t go all out,” or “I don’t want flowers,” or my favorite, “Love shouldn’t just count on one day.” It’s crap. Maybe over a decade spent without a Valentine has clouded my vision somewhat but I will never turn down a moment or day where my husband gets to make me feel special.

And frankly he enjoys seeing my happiness and appreciation for his efforts. I don’t expect him to break the bank, but if your loved one isn’t willing to sacrifice a little dinero for you that says a lot about their commitment to you.

Does that make me materialistic? A little. But Valentine’s Day is one moment out of the year where spending a weeks wages on flowers and chocolate and pink fluffy things makes sense. Have you seen the Wal Mart aisles on February 13^th? They’re a rose pedaled nightmare. And I enjoy being right there along with everyone else fighting for the right Hallmark moment.

Gestures of love often take a back seat in marriages or any relationship: mother and daughter, father and son, friend and friend. Life, bills, stress, jobs, layoffs and the all inclusive “I’m just so busy” cover a multitude of moments when we should stop and make that phone call or send that birthday card or say “I love you” and don’t.

On this Valentine’s Day, or any day, make an effort to show someone you care. It isn’t selfish or gimmicky or falling into the materialistic plots of greeting card companies. It’s important. Gentlemen, buy your lady a gift. Get her flowers.

Something shiny. And ladies, accept the gifts gladly. Don’t whine about how much they cost or ask why he had the time to get you a dozen daisies but didn’t have the time to take out the trash. It’s Valentine’s Day for goodness sake. Put a little love in your heart.

Chick Talk Dallas is the hatchling of Joanna Cattanach, a former Dallas Morning Newsstaff writer/news assistant. A graduate of Baylor University, she currently works as a freelance writer and writing instructor in the Dallas area where she and her husband call home.