Can't Buy Me Love

08:13am, 14 February 2019

You know Valentine's Day is approaching because you can hardly get into supermarkets for fear of tripping over bucket upon bucket of red roses. And today, it is here. One of those odd days in the calendar that can cause delight and despair in equal measure, depending on your circumstances and how you feel about them. 

For some it's a way of expressing their feelings for another, either for the first time or on cue, once a year. Saying things that may otherwise go unknown, unsaid or taken for granted. For others, it's a kowtowing to consumerism and the need to show in public another's worth to you by buying them expensive gifts or at least over-priced knick-knacks. This is the side that worries me most because as the Beatles knew, can't buy me love and it certainly won't save the planet. The days and weeks after Valentine's must surely signal another layer of plastic debris accumulated, haunting our planet, long after the earthly recipient and sender have turned to dust. 

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with stopping to reflect once a year. Christians have a whole liturgical calendar of reflection points to get them through the year. I just think we need to be more accountable in how we celebrate it. 

Little Miss has made her 'boyfriend' a "Ballen times" card - a rainbow-coloured heart which I take a photo of and text to his mum because it is the February break and they will not see each other at school. There is an innocence in this that is endearing. "So cute!" comes the reply. 

That's what I want my love to be - for it to be rainbow-coloured (inclusive), simple in form (a genuine point of connection, not an all singing and dancing show designed to turn eyes on me) and heart-felt (an outpouring of agape love, through which my soul resonates and rejoices with yours). And, in this spirit, Happy Valentine's everyone!