Do you remember what it was like to be in grade school when February 14th rolled around each year? The most popular kids got a bunch of Valentines Day cards while the less than popular guys and gals sweated out getting only a few. And what to say on the cards? Asking someone to be your valentine could be considered serious business.

Yep! Better not risk giving a card to just anyone. But what if you receive a card from some little kid whose name you don't even know? What a hassle, that Valentines Day, even for little kids.

Now we are all grown up but here we go again. The Valentines Day stress test is about to be administered and we can't escape it. With February 14th fast approaching we have to decide if we should ditch that significant other fast or to spring for yet another cash sucking item - a Valentines days gift. Really, there is no place to hide.

The big question is do we buy a gift because we really want to or is it because those clever merchants selling Valentine cards and gifts have found ways to make us feel like jerks if we decide not to? Not only that but if we are involved in a relationship and don't buy a nice gift for them the merchant brainwashed lover will think we are in effect screaming for them to go away. And with no Valentines Day gift scored they probably will.

Of course, I'm only kidding. Valentines Day is a great day to express your love for another person in a traditional accepted way. The whole concept is romantic and sweet. In a world beset with so many troubling problems it is a great relief to cast those troubles aside and share some romantic moments with that special person that you love or at least lust after.

Now hurry on out there into shopping land Cyberspace and buy that Valentines Day gift for him or for her and help out our sorry economy. Even our federal government continues in the traditional of our departed President Bush (well, he finally departed the White House) and encourages us to spend, not save, so let the Valentine bucks flow.

So, go ahead, just ask me, "will you be my Valentine?"

However, here is a warning. If you expect to get a Valentines Day gift from me you need to shop for a romantic gift that's far more expensive then the one linked to below. Now, isn't that more romanic?