Posted on: February 12, 2013

4 Ways to Overcome an Awkward Valentine’s Day

4 ways to overcome and awkward valentine's day_thumb

 

What makes Valentine’s Day uncomfortable for many of us?  Is it the weird feeling of forced spontaneity? Are we afraid our plans won’t work out? Maybe your spouse won’t like what we’re doing.  A lot of us fear the possibilities of an awkward Valentine’s Day. Here’s some insight on what makes Valentine’s Day awkward, and a few tips to help you overcome the possibility of a sticky Valentine’s Day.

1.    Don’t  Force It

Trying to do something extravagant sounds like a great idea, but it can often leave your spouse feeling a bit uncomfortable. Forced romance isn’t genuine. Rather, use this day to remind each other why you fell in love. Long walks through the woods? A favorite restaurant? Movie marathons? Revisit moments from the past when love first sparked.  Stay true to your relationship and rekindle your romance.

2.    Be Intentional

Don’t force it doesn’t mean don’t make any effort.  Be creative!  Unexpected gifts, out-of the-box dinner plans, or long love letters are great ways to spice up Valentine’s Day. Feel secure in the status of your relationship and take this day to intentionally remind your spouse just how meaningful they are to you.

3.    Take Time

I know, our lives are busier than ever, but we have to make time for the ones we love. Giving our time to others is a genuine trait of love and affection that everyone appreciates. Make spending time with your spouse a priority. Wake up early for a breakfast date. Bring your spouse a mid-day pick-me-up treat. Time is one of the most meaningful gifts we have to offer.

4.    Minimize the Pressure

Valentine’s Day might seem like a big deal, but it doesn’t have to be. Don’t feel like this is the only day you can show your love. It’s not a “make it or break it” day. It’s important to consider the one you love on this day, to make them feel as special as they truly are to you, but there are 364 other days of the year for love as well.

 

I’d love to hear your ideas on how to make Valentine’s Day special for your spouse and how you avoid the awkwardness. 

  • Sara Gibson

    My husband and I just celebrated our 9th anniversary on February 7th. We have a mutual feeling of ignoring Valentines Day. It has always made both of us (as singles) feel peer pressured. We celebrate eachother everyday, by spending time together. Doesn’t matter what we’re doing; yard work, reading the Word, or just sitting down for coffee. I will admit, though, it IS nice having all the couples discounts so close to our anniversary!! :)

  • Synchy

    valentines day~ make some jello jigglers and cut out hearts~ and serve on a paper lace doily~ or other “food” treat~ invite some kids to join you to bake goodies~ (especially good if your kids no longer live at home) serve dinner to a veteran’s group~ why make it just one day? spread it out over the entire week~ wear “matching” clothes~ (makes it easier on the laundry loads) in the end~ it is just another day to spend time with those you love~ and if you love your spouse~ chances are your spouse cares about others as much as you do~ and practice all year long doing “little things” for some of the lesser known holidays~ like~ ground hogs day~ fat tuesday~ e=mc2 day~ st. patricks day~ presidents day~ sweethearts day~ all saints day~ grandparents day~ take a child to work day~ the possibilities are endless~

  • http://www.jackiebledsoe.com/ jbledsoejr

    #4 is key…although many will make it seem this way, this is not the only day to show your love. Great post Mark!

  • http://www.MarkMerrill.com/ Mark Merrill

    You got that right, Jackie!

  • http://www.MarkMerrill.com/ Mark Merrill

    Sara, thanks for sharing!

  • sherley

    sherley•a minute ago
    ?
    +
    Delete
    Flag as inappropriate
    I respect My husband, I include him in everything,I am intimate with him all the time especially when I come back from work…I compliment hime an I show him appreciation everday, I make tea for him everday when he is back from work…. I listen to him but just this other day we were talking and he borrowed me his phone ( old phone) he was never using the phone, because my phone broke and the speaker was not working. I never asked him to give me the phone, but he did and I just asked him to delete all his SMS on the massage box and he did but forgot to ask him to delete contact list. well the next day I had to remind him to and you know he then aske me to delet but I didný want to because I never new whether there are some important numbers that he still want to use, well I tell you I then started deleteing the numbers on by one because I could not Mark all then delete as there were some of my numbers on the phone already, then I was just laghing because some of the names looked funny and we awere both laughing about it and the next thing he was all upset… saying I don’t listen to him, I disrectect him, because he had asked me to delete all numbers, I was surprised by the change and then kept quite and deleted all numbers without a word… Now I don’t know what is it that I am not doing right, he said in his state ment I am not respecting him because when he talk I don’t do what he says. why does he have to reapets himself over and over again. I disrespect him for talking back at him , I should keep quiet and not talk when he is talking. He is the Man in this house and I should be obeying him and not talk back to him, I was confuse because now I did not know when to respond and when not to respond back to him. Can someone help me I need to know what can I do… to me it sounds stupid and I don’t think it that BIG deal but he feel all that there is no respect from me to him. PLEASE HELP!!

  • Leah Christensen

    Valentine’s Day is mucho-important for Hubby and I, because there was a time when I was in Canada, and he was in AZ. Somehow, our schedules made us be apart on birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and all kinds of other dates, but never on Valentine’s Day. Now that we’re both together in Canada, we make sure to observe Valentine’s Day every year, because it’s the one day we never had to be apart. This year was expensive because in Feb I had something going on in NYC, and at the same time achieved a longtime dream to see the area. In March, Hubby wants to go to a Sci-fi convention. That meant that an expensive Valentine’s Day wasn’t in the budget. That didn’t stop us, though. We jumped on the bus, and headed up to Second Cup for a mocha latte. :) Our $10 Valentine’s Day was PERFECT because it was Valentine’s Day, and we were together!!!