Valentine's Day

Growing up, I always wondered why people make Valentine's Day a big deal.

American media portrayed Valentine's Day as a day where guys had to surprise their loved ones with a bouquet of flowers, usually a dozen roses, probably a box of chocolates too, a candlelight dinner, followed by a movie and stargazing.

As I started watching Japanese anime, I found it astounding how girls in Japan celebrate Valentine's Day. They bake chocolate for the guy they love through sweat and blood, wrapping it with a hug, sealing it with a kiss, hoping that the guy will truly accept their gift. 1 month down the road, on the 14th of March, if the guy DID accept the girl's gift back on Valentine's Day, he'd give her a box of white chocolates as as form of acceptance.

When I entered the "dating & courtship" game. None, I repeat, None of my girlfriends have every bought me anything for Valentine's day for the first 23 years of my life. Shear luck, I'd call it. Always looked forward to my own version of a Japanese girl.

Having said that, I actually reached the point whereby I considered Valentine's Day to be a once-in-a-year event where the Malaysian economy supports boys to spoil the ones they love getting nothing, NOTHING, nothing in return. Except faces of disappointment occasionally when they compare their gifts with the girls in their midst.

Well, that has always been my perception. As much as I truly despised Valentine's Day all the while, I have always tried my best to make sure my girlfriend (if any at the point of time) gets the best I can give (from my perception of course.) Yet for some, it still was not enough.

Well, the love of my life, Mei, taught me the true meaning of Valentine's Day, without saying anything. That is how this post was inspired anyway, as I was looking at our Valentine's Day pictures.

Just by looking at her on that day, I came to know that it is actually a day you work a little harder for that special person's smile,


After smile,


After smile,


After smile,


After smile,


Or to do something you usually cannot do, making that day truly special.