Roses are red, violets are blue. We don't celebrate Valentine's, so how do you?

Dodong is not a believer in Valentine's Day because he thinks its a capitalist holiday. Oh, sorry to the true blue romantics out there. I was slowly brainwashed to think the same too. Unfortunately. We can celebrate love everyday naman di ba? Plus flowers and dinners are not as expensive on a regular day right?

The only day we've ever been close to actually celebrating it was the Valentine's Day before he left for the desert. We had a Valentine's Buffet Dinner at Seven Corners, Crowne Plaza Manila: eat-all-you-can buffet complete with Tuxedo Strawberries and Champagne.

Look at the cute but uber expensive tuxedo strawberries

The Valentine theme was cute with the Tuxedo Strawberries above. But it was such a rip-off because it cost me an arm and a leg. We usually eat at Seven Corners, Crowne Plaza but the Valentine's dinner costed us +Php 1,000 (around +US$ 20)  more than the usual. Ouch. Yes ako po ang nagbayad. Hehehe. But what the heck, it was hitting three birds with one stone: the desert despedida (most important of all!), early anniversary celebration which is every 16th of the month (but again we don't celebrate on a monthly basis) and Valentine's Day.

Last year, our 1st Valentine's Day apart, we didn't do anything special. I though that it would somehow change (because of the distance apart and all). But it didn't. Hehehe. It was just like any ordinary long distance relationship day. Nothing extra romantic, unlike our 7th year anniversary. Old habits die hard I guess.

But for other LDR couples out there, who I am sure are very different from us (believing in Valentine's Day and all), how do you celebrate the most romantic day of the year?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay

P.S. Pls forgive my crappy photos. I still have no decent working camera Tear….

Some things, on the other hand, are best done ALONE.

Although there are a lot of activities I do miss doing with Dodong, I'm super blessed to have more time to do things that I enjoy on my own. Aminin! I'm sure you also have stuff to do that your partner doesn't exactly enjoy 100%. For me, these included:

1. I have more time to savor in more sophisticated (and expensive!) food. Dodong found it a waste to spend so much on food which was served in such miniscule amounts. Hehehe. It was Quantity over Quality for Dodong versus Quality over Quantity for me.
2. I have more time to indulge in artistic endeavors (I know feeling artistic…). While Dodong enjoyed his Basketball (and cable TV), I had some artsy fartsy stuff going on like taking photos, watching movies and plays and more.
3. I have more time to learn things I've always wanted to learn in "school". While Dodong thought it was a tad bit waste of money, I believe it's an investment in my personal growth.

Why I do believe in the value of alone time when there's so much to being a two-some??? Here's why after the jump…

Celebrate your individuality

I recognize the difference in personalities, like and dislikes between myself and Dodong. And I celebrate this! It's my uniqueness that made Dodong fall in love with me in the first place. So why drown myself in his personality / life?

I celebrate my love for gourmet food! I celebrate my love for the arts! I celebrate my love for learning! It's great to be me

Nurture your personal growth

Because I recognize and celebrate this difference, I make sure that I continue to grow. I don't lose out on the activities that I enjoyed when I was single (and not in a relationship just yet). I know I come out a better person when I get to expand my gastronomic horizons, explore my artistic capabilities and educate myself with the ever changing ways of the world.

Build your own life

Because I believe my life doesn't depend on his life at the same time, his life doesn't entirely depend on mine anyway. I've got my own thing going on which I believe is worth devoting some precious time and effort to. Aside from Dodong, I've got my career, my family and friends too!

Don't you deserve to be given the best by your own self now that your on your own?

Love the distance,

Inday I. Nagintay