Di, actually during the first few years with dearie, I forgot Valentine's Day. I think it was partially the fact that I was single for so long (I met him when I was 31) that I never celebrated Valentine's Day except as a kid. Therefore when I was single, I never felt sad nor left out. I didn't pay attention to Valentine's Day at all. Certainly no one in my family expects anything on that day. Christmas and birthdays more..but quite hit and miss.

But now he and I each casually will buy a card, a small sweet or something inexpensive for Valentine's Day. Some years there has been candles at home, wine. Other years not. Hey, I celebrate my birthday 2 wks. before Valentine's Day. I'm sure some lovestruck teens spend way more money than he and I for Valentine's DAy.

Ok,...without gettin' into embarrassing details, how do you 2 celebrate and for what? Is there a ritual event that happens at certain times of the year for each other that both of you celebrate together? Could you 2 start with that instead?

As an afterthought: You know, i don't recall my parents giving each other noticeable gifts to one another much at all...gift-giving is cultural. But clearly we knew they "gave" to each other by doing things for each other, etc.