I am not a fan of most holidays. Christmas is an exception, of course, as I’ve already confessed. But most of them catch me an unprepared and reluctant participant. I do not enjoy doing things just because someone says I should do those things. Issues with authority perhaps? This is also why, when I have to identify with a particular generation, I identify with Gen X and almost take it personally when internet says that based on my year of birth, I am a Millennial. Whatever that means.

I guess it also doesn’t help that I do not feel rooted in any particular culture. I grew up in Ukraine, sure, but I was also an evangelical when it wasn’t as mainstream as it is now. All the holidays had to have a “reason for the season” or some other justification on why this or that secular holiday deserves to be celebrated and not boycotted. Which weeded out a lot of them.

Yet another factor is the rapid westernization of Ukraine after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, which happened to fall right at my middle and high school years. The “formative” age. Soviet holidays became uncool and western ones began awkwardly earning their spots on the calendar. Like Valentine’s Day for example. We didn’t quite know what to do with it.

But here’s the thing. Telling someone how much you love and appreciate them is worth it even on a day when everyone else is compelled to to the same. Just do it in a … non-conformist way. Or any way. Just do it today.