The South Dakota Cowgirl

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Valentine’s Day Over-kill

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I don’t know that I’ve ever been completely stoked about Valentine’s day. I’m sure there were times in my life, when I was excited that my beau would feel the pressure to buy me flowers and getting them at school or work was always fun. And I do love how fresh flowers smell. Though, recently I’ve decided, as much as I love them, I desire something more practical. Like a new coffee maker. Maybe that means I’m getting old?  I did spend one Valentine’s Day working in a Flower Shop- and I loved it. I don’t begrudge those that want to spend money on flowers, or even those that make a big, huge deal out of a day dedicated to L-o-V-e. But as a whole, my life is one big Valentine’s Day.

I’m sure that at some point years ago, it was used, by me, as a good excuse to go to a restaurant and eat a forced menu, which I despise by the way.

Maybe it I used it an excuse to beg for something I wanted that I didn’t get for Christmas.

But now I mostly think it’s just the marketing world’s way of telling us we need to consume more; buy more; spend more; and in the process it makes people who don’t have a Valentine feel unworthy.  Yet another reason to at least feel ambivalent about the day.

Granted, for me, it hasn’t always been this way- there have been times in my life when I wasn’t as fortunate as I am now.  But in case you can’t tell from hanging out here, I am happy, healthy, and I am loved.  For the first time in my adult life, someone loves me as much or more than I love them. Oh sure, my parents love me, but we’re not talking about them today. If I were not loved, do you think I’d be 1000 miles away from my home, in the frozen north?  I think not. If we weren’t secure in each other, and in our relationship that would never happen.  So I don’t need a Holiday to celebrate that!

I can celebrate it each time we talk; each time we hug; in the time we spend together.

I can celebrate it in the fact that he’d rather sit next to me on the couch, every night, and watch TV with me; and that now that I’m not there, he doesn’t find the same appeal in our television shows.

I can celebrate it in the fact that as much as he loves me, he’s willing to give up sitting next to me each night so I can pursue my dreams.

I can celebrate it in the fact that if someone has to go to work to make ends meet that he would go first; and allow me to stay home, cook, tend chickens and ride.

I can celebrate it in the fact that I don’t need a special occasion to cook something wonderful for him.

All he needs from me is for me to smile and be happy and content and love myself.  And all I need for him is to love me just the way I am.

For more Spins, Visit Jen at Sprite’s Keeper.

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About ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Jenn Zeller is the creative mind and boss lady behind The South Dakota Cowgirl. She is an aspiring horsewoman, photographer, brilliant social media strategist and lover of all things western.

After a brief career in the investment world to support her horse habit (and satisfy her mother, who told her she had to have a “real” job after graduating college), she finally took the leap and stepped away from a regular income; trading the business suit once and for all for cowgirl boots, a hat, and jeans. She has not looked back.

When Jenn first moved to The DX Ranch on the South Dakota plains, she never imagined she’d find herself behind a camera lens capturing an authentic perspective of ranching, and sharing it with others. Jenn has always been called to artistry, and uses music, writing, images, home improvement, and her first true love of horses to express her ranching passion.

Horses are the constant thread and much of her work centers around using her unique style of writing to share her horsemanship journey with others in publications such as CavvySavvy, the AQHA Ranching Blog, the West River Eagle, the family ranch website, and her own website.

Using photography to illustrate her stories has created other opportunities -- Jenn’s brand “The South Dakota Cowgirl” has grown to the level of social media “Influencer”. This notoriety has led to work with Duluth Trading Company, Budweiser, Wyoming Tourism, Vice, Circle Z Ranch and Art of the Cowgirl, to name a few. She also serves as a brand ambassador for Woodchuck USA, Arenus Equine Health, Triple Crown Feed and Just Strong fitness apparel. Her photography has been featured by Instagram, Apple, TIME Magazine, The Huffington Post, and Oprah Magazine. Jenn’s work has been published internationally, has been seen in several books and has graced the covers of several magazines.

Jenn became a social media influencer by accident when she started to explore Instagram as a way to share her life on the ranch with folks that don’t get to experience it. It’s grown into an incredible platform that she uses to empower women, create an environment for self improvement and share life on the ranch.

When she’s not working, she loves to drink coffee, play with her naughty border collie named Copper, start ranch colts, and run about the country chasing cans. Her mother still thinks she doesn’t have a “real” job.

Give your horse or dog, or cat the gift of mobility.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Thea says

    I love all the ways you pointed out that y’all celebrate *your* love in an everyday way … that is so true!

    But, I do love Valentines Day 🙂 I love to have an excuse to be silly & romantic with my guy – just being together. Sure, we’re together everyday … and we love each other everyday … but I like having a specific day to celebrate it. But, then again, we don’t have an anniversary so, maybe that’s part of it too?

    It’s a great holiday…

    Reply

  3. Sprite's Keeper says

    Sounds like you have all you need. Except a new coffee maker. 🙂
    I just got my Valentine’s gift, a steam vacuum! And I’m ecstatic!!!
    (Seriously. Wait until you see next week’s Spin..)
    I agree with you on everything and the fact that he is allowing you to pursue your dreams makes him even more handsome than that already gorgeous picture is doing.
    You’re linked!

    Reply

  5. Kristen says

    very nice post! I’m similar in a way. My hubs and I don’t buy each other gifts for V-Day, on occasion we might buy each other a card or something. This year we’re actually going to dinner & a movie. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s V-Day weekend or because we were actually able to get a sitter this weekend! lol I remember being in high school though and loving this “holiday” and being so excited to see what my boyfriend would get me! Oh the “good ole” days! I’m much happier where I am now in life! 🙂

    Reply

  6. VandyJ says

    I try to do a card so I can put into words what I feel each day. It makes it special and reminds Nick that I love him and appreciate him. Otherwise we don’t make much of this holiday any more. We live it each day.

    Reply

  7. Ellie Belen says

    I’m with you. Hubby and I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day because I think it’s all a marketing ploy. But for young love, it’s perfect. They need a holiday to get things rolling.

    Love the post.

    Reply

  9. Christopher (AKA: CaJoh) says

    Stopping by from the Spin Cycle…

    Considering that my wife’s birthday, our anniversary, and Christmas seem to fall in the last part of the year; being able to get practical gifts at this time of the year sounds (no pun intended) practical to me. I guess I’ve been brainwashed by the marketing campaigns and wind up getting the traditional card and candy. I may have to consider this for next year.

    Thanks for sharing,

    Reply

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