Do not restrict romance to only Valentine’s Day

As years go by, couples take February 14 Valentine’s Day more seriously. And just to show you its significance, in the past few days, a number of traders have been stocking up a number of Valentine’s Day goodies for lovebirds to buy. These include cards with special messages, chocolate, perfumes, and not forgetting the flowers.
Some couples also usually spend the day with a must-have outing, especially dinner.

The expectations
Jane Kyokusiima says she always expects to receive a gift from her boyfriend. “He knows how much I treasure this day. And that is why he always ensures he sends flowers to my workplace every year and later makes a follow-up call wishing me a happy Valentine’s Day,” Kyokusiima says, adding, “These sweet gestures make me happy.”

The couple has been in a relationship for the past five years. Kyokusiima says she would feel awful if her boyfriend stopped sending her flowers.
Diana Kalanzi says she always expects her husband to take her out for a romantic dinner.
“I love eating out and for the past six years, he has been taking me to restaurants that have a variety of special foods,” Kalanzi says.
On one occasion when her husband was unable to take her out, he made for her a meal at home. Besides, Valentine’s Day, Kalanzi reveals that her husband also tends to give her a great treat on her birthdays.

More than just a day
Unlike most women who have high Valentine’s Day expectations, the men seem a little unbothered about the day. Jonathan Okurut, says there is nothing special about the day and he never celebrates it. “I have never really understood why people celebrate this day. If you love someone, show them affection every single day of your life,” Okurut says.
The businessman says he will only change his mind and start celebrating the day if it is made a public holiday.

Meanwhile, James Kizito says Valentine’s Day is more of a western rather than African tradition and that is partly one of the reasons he never celebrates it.
The other reason is that he is one of those men who do not embrace particular calendar events.
“There are certain days you will never find me celebrating and Valentine’s is one of them. I am not that romantic,” he says.

Kizito says because of his negative perception towards the day, his girlfriend always complains. “She says I am a difficult person with no romantic bone inside my body,” Kizito says laughing.
As for Regan Emuriat, his mood determines whether he celebrates.
“I love doing things at my own time and pace. If I do not feel like doing anything special for a woman on that day, no one will force me to,” he says, emphasising, “I don’t do things just because other people are doing them.”
Emuriat feels Valentine’s Day is overrated for no reason.

Be fair to your partner
Geraldine Musoke, a family counsellor, says the problem with Valentine’s Day are the expectations.
“There are couples who anticipate a lot from their partners and if their desires are not met, issues may crop up in the relationship,” Musoke says.
A case in point, Musoke says, are those who sulk or even give their partners the silent treatment merely because they did not receive any special treat.
But this should not be the case. Musoke says couples should not be taking Valentine’s Day too seriously.
“If things do not go according to plan, do not blame your partner or let it affect your relationship,” she says.
Musoke emphasises that it is important to treasure loved ones every day of their lives and not necessarily on Valentine’s Day.

“There are those who sulk or even give their partners the silent treatment merely because they did not receive any special treat.
But this should not be the case. Couples should not take Valentine’s Day too seriously. ”