HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY TO ME!

Good afternoon from Tokyo. I know that wishing myself a Happy Valentine’s Day might sound a little different for my friends outside of Japan. However, in Japan Valentine’s Day a completely different experience from the way the day is celebrated in the U.S.  Valentine’s Day is actually a day for women to express their special feelings for a man by giving him a gift of chocolate. However, the day has changed somewhat from it’s simple beginnings and the gift may also include something from a brand store.

I was amazed at the last minute chocolate buying frenzy that I experienced yesterday while walking through Ikebukuro station! It was as if buying a gift of chocolate was the last opportunity these people would have to express their true feeling for a loved one. Is it possible, that a person could actually let someone know how he or she really felt on another day? And for those already in relationships, why not celebrate your love 365days a year?

And just like in the U.S., there is also a practice of giving what is known as “Giri-choco” (obligated chocolate), or what I like to affectionately call guilt chocolate to male friends and co-workers. Hopefully, I will only receive “Honmei-choco” (true love chocolate) today!

Of course, I will have an opportunity to reciprocate any good fortune that I experience today on March 14 “White Day.”  “White Day” is a unique Japanese celebration created in 1965 by a Japanese company where men are supposed to purchase a gift for their “honmei”, or reciprocate gifts given by others.

“Love don’t cost a thing!” At the risk of quoting a “J-lo” I believe that love is something that it does not have a price tag and cannot be expressed by material goods! Sure, it’s okay to give gifts to people that we care about. However, I believe that true love is something that is expressed and shared “24/7”, 365 days a year and not limited to just special days! Lastly, I believe that true love is something that is shared with our special someone each and every precious moment of our lives!

So please do not worry about what to get me for Valentine’s Day or any other day someone has else has designated for you to let me know that you care about me. The fact that I know that you love and care about me is the only gift that I need on this or any other day!