What do Sponge Bob and Scooby Doo knowabout Valentine’s Day?As I understand it, Valentine’s Day is a romantic occasion for lovers worldwide to prove their affection for one another.Why then, are the store shelves stocked with cards and candy marketed to kids? What do they know about romance?Aisles are crowded with adults shopping for Valentine’s Day cards and candy for their kids to exchange with other kids.What a shame. All those grownups should be shopping for their true loves.Their little rugrats are just capitalizing on another excuse to eat candy and have a party at school.Whatever happened to the true meaning of Valentine’s Day? I’d say it got lost in the marketing genius of Hershey’s and Hallmark.Expressions of true love and affection are relegated to a special section in the greeting cards department, while the prominent storefront displays are loaded with Valentine’s Day greetings from the likes of Scooby Doo, Sponge Bob and Spider Man.What do they have to do with Valentine’s Day?Nothing.And they don’t care.Their empty little messages outsell the sincere wishes 10 to 1.While they’re not romantic, I do give them credit for creativity, especially with the cards marketed to boys.With all the pink and red hearts with lacey extras, Valentine’s Day is clearly a girly holiday. It’s the sort of thing most self-respecting boys should — outwardly at least — want nothing to do with.But, amid the traditional pink hearts that say, "Be Mine," is a healthy selection of manly cards in camouflage, bug patterns and neon racing stripes. Of course boys exchanging cards with other boys would never ask to "Be Mine," but they would easily say, "Be cool on Valentine’s Day, man."If some little second-grade boys I know actually thought about what they were celebrating, they’d choke on their foil-wrapped, chocolate-covered heart-shaped morsels.It’s not the type of observance we expect from those who are fast outgrowing hugs from their moms in public.But, alas, we moms — and dads — buy into the whole wicked adulteration of the special day.After all, with so much attention focused on the kids and their kiddy exchanges, it’s a legitimate diversion from any real Valentine’s Day shopping or heartfelt observation of the day.Sad?Not really.Not if you’re the one buying the candy and you can pick the flavor you like and take home way more chocolate than the kid will ever need for his classroom party exchange.Happy Valentine’s Day, with or without love, and happy shopping.
