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Valentine’s Day true terms of endearment

by Rob Peters | February 14, 2008 at 01:48 pm | 852 views | 17 comments
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Some guy I work with wrote this.

For many young people, yesterday’s steadfast rites of passage — marriage, moving out, university — don’t offer the same assurance of long-term domestic bliss they once did.

Grumpy old men have been telling us for centuries that things aren’t built to last anymore, and in 2008 maybe they’re right; absolutes aren’t as absolute as they used to be.

This is why I was elated when my girlfriend put me down as her next of kin for her BC Hydro account. I remember it well because it was the first time I knew the relationship was serious.

Much more so than expensive “commitment” jewelry or poetic promises of longevity, a BC Hydro next of kin designation means something. It says, I know you, I trust you completely, you’re my family.

With the institution of marriage going the way of the dinosaur (or at least postponed by a decade or two), being chosen as a contact in the event of a natural disaster is the best Valentine you could possibly receive. In fact, a proposal would be redundant.

I returned the favour a few months later when I named Jackie my emergency contact at a new job. The gesture didn’t go unnoticed and our relationship went through a lengthy spirit-renewing renaissance.

Of course symbols of everlasting love take other forms as well.

Keys are a telltale sign. If your keychain allows you access into the vehicle, apartment or safety deposit box of your loved one, chances are you’re in a committed, loving relationship that feeds your soul.

Facebook is also a huge indicator. Confirming what your friends already know with an official “in a relationship” declaration is the equivalent of an engagement in 1956. If you go one step further and specify “in a relationship with so and so,” you’ve eloped. Expect some free drinks from concerned friends should you ever change it back to single.

This all might seem a little unromantic, but even my married friends tell me the greatest benefits of wedded life are economic. My best friend says the best part of marriage is splitting the cost of Ikea furniture sets.

I’m certainly not one to get all sentimental about Valentine’s Day — I’m actually spending it this year with my parents. Between the BC Hydro contact info, my janitor-calibre keychain, and the Facebook relationship status that tells total strangers what I feel in the innermost regions of my heart, I’m sure of where I stand.

Valentine’s Day surprises are nice, but personally I think it’s cool when couples don’t need them to prove anything. When you know, you just know, and you don’t need any Valentine to convince you.


February 14, 2008 at 01:48 pm by Rob Peters, 852 views, 17 comments

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Awww… warm/fuzzy.

I get very concerned when I see “_______ is now single.” on FB. With that little broken heart icon! It’s so gutting.

good stuff:

Relationships seem treated as though they’re…. I don’t want to say “disposable”, but something kind of like it.

I added him to my Video Rental Card in 2004, he let me pick out the paint color for his car, then we jointly stocked the liquor cabinate. *sigh* beautiful.

good stuff:

Rob Peters, I like this story. It’s good stuff. Great reflection from the heart on what a solid relationship could turn into.

photo by steven perry

emmz. has contributed a photo to this story.

Linkey has contributed a photo to this story.

sheana has contributed a photo to this story.

Hi Rob! Thanks for including my picture in your Valentine’s Day article. Check out www.averagebetty.com for an accompanying recipe and funny video šŸ˜‰
Happy Valentine’s Day xoxo, Betty

averagebetty has contributed a photo to this story.

This was one of many signs which appeared on a small section of highway in eastern Oklahoma a couple of years ago. When the signs would disappear, others would reappear somewhere else along the highway. It was assumed that the highway department was removing them. An article was written in an area newspaper about the possibilties which brought about the signs. This went on a few weeks. At some point the signs stopped. Maybe Karen was finally won over.?

KeenTurtle has contributed a photo to this story.

For more funny pictures and posts visit www.intoxikate.net  


intoxikateu has contributed a photo to this story.

I love valentine’s day because I work in a flower shop and I just love when I have 1000’s of roses to photograph. This one is called “rosita”

Karen 818 has contributed a photo to this story.

thank you for using my photo. www.amayzun.com ~ [email protected]

amayzun has contributed a photo to this story.

Happy valentines day to you ^^

Don6201 has contributed a photo to this story.

A crafty creation I made for the season. This was a hard valetines for me, as I’m in the process of a divorce, so it was my first single v-day in 9 years. Now that’s it’s over I’m breathing a sigh of relief that I made it through it.

blissfulmama has contributed a photo to this story.

Well, well, Valentine’s Day. What happens happens, heheh.

& I know I’m late. šŸ˜‰ 

bye bye omoide has contributed a photo to this story.

Thank you! šŸ™‚

BathtubJunkie has contributed a photo to this story.

I hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day and that you got to share it with someone special in your life. Words to live by:
“ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR HEART”
Let your friends and love ones know how special they are to you, before its to late and you don’t get that chance.

Frozen in Time photos by Marianne has contributed a photo to this story.

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