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Those Crazy Americans and their Holidays

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

We Americans are a sentimental bunch. Either that or the Hallmark and American Greeting card companies have us under their spell. In between the major holidays like New Years, Easter, and Christmas we have other holidays we really get into like Mother's Day, Father's Day, Fourth of July, and Thanksgiving. Mother's Day is known for brunches with Mom on Sunday. Father's Day is known for the most collect calls in a day. Some Realtors get into the Fourth of July by giving out little flags in their neighborhoods. Then we have the fireworks. Halloween is thrown in there for us adults and kids to act silly and get sick on candy. Thanksgiving, well that's food and football. And pretty much a whole bunch of the former. Thanksgiving we do take seriously and those of us with heart stop and reflect on our blessings. It is a truly American holiday like the 4th of July.

Valentines

But the calendar page turns to February and on the 14th we Americans (and others worldwide I suppose) turn our hearts to those we love. Kind of like the blessings of Thanksgiving but the gratefulness and acknowledgement of love in our lives.

From a surprise paper Valentine card to the girl across the classroom in third grade, to a dozen roses, to dinner out at fancy restaurant, or a box of chocolates or a greeting card, we let those we love know that they are special to us.

A little sappy perhaps, but we take Valentine's Day seriously. As we should. Life is fleeting and why is it so hard to say I love you to those closest to us? It is easier for some than others. Maybe just having a special day helps.

A classic song for thinking about this occasion is

My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion

Celebrate the day acknowledging and caring for those you love!

Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate
Hi Gary:  Regarding your comment to Lynda... you have to stop giving those Valentines Day cards to those third grade girls.  People are going to start to wonder... if they're not doing so already.  Try and move up a few grades, and at least start dating Junior High girls.  And also... there won't be such a height difference when the two of you go dancing.  Take care...
Feb 04, 2008 06:19 PM
Jesse Clifton
Jesse Clifton & Associates - Fairbanks, AK
Nothing like a box of Godiva chocolates and a bundle of roses to make the Mrs. feel special... and temporarily forgive you for getting on her nerves. LOL  Just kidding of course, but sometimes those buttons are fun to push. :) 
Feb 04, 2008 08:25 PM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
I am probably the last person on earth who doesn't like chocolate, it's just too salty tasting for me.  But then again maybe the right person hasn't given me good chocolate, yet.
Feb 04, 2008 08:39 PM
Mike Jones
SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171) - Tucson, AZ
Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Gary,

I'm partial to July 4th; it's our Anniversary.  My Darlin' worked for the State of NJ, and I travelled each week around the country as Nat'l Sales Manager for my company.  We figured if we chose July 4th, we could plan on spending our Anniversary together.  It's worked for nearly 11 years now.

Mike in Tucson

Feb 04, 2008 09:17 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Nancy: I think as we get older we chill out with regards to Valentine's.

Todd & Danielle: Obligatory chocolates. The Japanese are so formal.

Karen: Don't get me in trouble now LOL.

Jesse & Kathy: Maybe the men giving the chocolates get a reprieve from getting yelled at for a day.

Chris: Ah, always in search for that "special" person.

Mike: Very good on selecting July 4th as your anniversary. Great vacation week too.

Feb 05, 2008 12:32 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro
Gary--Valentines Day is a wonderful day to tell your clients they are appreciated too! I think everyone should get a valentine on Valentine's Day. Sounds like you always were a caring individual from your grade school story above. :)
Feb 05, 2008 12:41 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
Teri: Sending Valentine's out I think is a wonderful touching surprise to all that receive them. It shows the goodness in your heart. Yep, me and the third grade girls. Pure innocence and nervousness from a shy kid in the class back in the day.
Feb 05, 2008 01:12 AM
Linda Futral
Newnan, GA
Hmmm... I am probably the only one who really dislikes Valentine's Day.  If you are in a relationship there is just too much pressure put on us at this time to do something and it shouldn't be that way.  We should feel the need to express that love throughout the year not just on a certain day. I think for those that love it this is fine but just not my day to celebrate.
Feb 05, 2008 01:23 AM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

Gary... I'm not ready for Valentines Day... today is Fat Tuesday, Thursday is Chinese New Year (start of) then... Valentines Day.

I'm still celebrating Ground Hogs Day...

Happy Valentines Day

Feb 05, 2008 02:48 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
Gary, Beautiful song and sentiments about Valentine's day...I never have a problem telling someone I love them!
Feb 05, 2008 03:52 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Linda: I completely understand. Some of these holidays put undue pressure on relationships, and you should be talking to each other and expressing yourself along the way.

Maureen: So funny. Yes, we have not even passed Groundhog Day for many days.

Carole: You are one of those good ones that express feelings easily. It is very healthy to be that way.

Feb 05, 2008 04:05 AM
Shannon Aldrich
Keller Williams Coastal Realty - Rye, NH
NH & Maine Real Estate Seacoast
Gary - Gotta love a sentimental man. Thank you for sharing your sentiments.
Feb 05, 2008 04:10 AM
Audrey Hoffman
VoteAudrey blog - Columbia, SC
VoteAudrey
I remember in 6th grade when a boy handed me a box of chocolates and a small stuffed animal and then ran off like it never happened!  Maybe he was having second thoughts or that's all the courage he could muster...anyway, we became better friends later on and in high school I was the one with the crush! (Although by then, he was so charming and innocent, so the crush was just that lol.)
Feb 05, 2008 04:21 AM
Keith Perry
Coldwell Banker - Hiram, GA
REALTOR - West Metro Atlanta
Well Gary, flowers do last longer than chocolates  :)
Feb 05, 2008 04:53 AM
Rich Dansereau
Positive Real Estate Professionals - Knoxville, TN
Whether it is because of the greeting card companies or the florists or the chocolatiers everybody likes to feel appreciated. I'm sure that girl in 3rd grade appreciated you giving her the valentine, as long as Karen Anne said above, you were in the 3rd grade and not driving the ice cream truck!   
Feb 05, 2008 05:10 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Shannon: I must be one of those sentimental types because I have a Hallmark frequent purchaser card.

Audrey: See what you women do to us at a young age? We run away terrified. Somehow I think that changes a bit as we mature. You know, first girls have cooties and such.

Rich: You are as bad as Karen Anne.

 

Feb 05, 2008 05:40 AM
Laura Monroe
Inman News - San Francisco, CA
Dir. of Industry Engagement & Social Media
Hi Gary~ I love this! It sometimes is too easy to just let the day go by without stopping to smell the roses and say I love you. Thanks for the reminder...I'm going to go by my (I mean my sweethearts) chocoalate right now;)
Feb 05, 2008 06:18 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
Laura: I think the day is a good day to stop and give the appropriate attention. Who wouldn't want to feel special?
Feb 05, 2008 06:24 AM
Ray Nellum
Envision Real Estate Group, LLC. - Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith Real Estate
Gary, you know I'm not going to get all mushy!!! LOL It was a great song and I get into the holidays probably a little more than others. 
Feb 05, 2008 09:47 AM
John Hurbon
Homesmart International Tucson,AZ - Benson, AZ

Great Blog Gary,

I really enjoy your perspectives and ability to make interesting observations.

John Hurbon

Benson, Az

 

Feb 05, 2008 11:24 AM