“I hate Valentine’s Day. I think it’s so stupid to have a holiday that forces men to be romantic. I’d much rather be romantic on my own than to be forced.” How many of you have heard some version of this complaint? How many heard it from a male? I thought so.

This is one of the stupidest things I have ever heard. It is no mystery most men are lacking in the romance department. Seriously, one plus one is a bigger quandary. Here’s why. For most women, love, humor, thoughtfulness, intelligence and the drive to succeed is enough. We can get over the lack of romanticism that our significant other possesses — at least 364 days a year. On Valentine’s Day, the tables turn. Bring on the flowers!

Don’t even try to avoid it. When Feb. 14 rolls around, girls should be getting flowers. I am betting many of you have seen the Hershey’s commercial that is broadcasted about this time every year with a girl announcing her disgust with flowers. Apparently, her gluttonous self thought chocolate was the Holy Grail and flowers were repulsive, so she decided to voice her opinion. I would like to smack that girl in the face, preferably with a box of chocolates. Seriously, I hate her.

My guess is the person behind writing that commercial is a man — a stupid man. Just for the record, you can go to Costco and get gorgeous flowers for less than 15 dollars. It’s hard to find decent chocolates for that.

With flowers it’s like, “Wow, I have something so beautiful to light up my home for the next couple weeks.” With chocolate it’s, “Wow, look at my fat butt that I now have to work off in the gym for the next month.” Lovely.

Moving on, there are other aspects to Valentine’s Day that many people do not consider romantic. However, nowadays, if your significant other has managed to get reservations at a decent time at a popular restaurant, then you have found a keeper. My boyfriend and I decided about three years ago that we would alternate planning Valentine’s Day. I would have resisted, but since it also happens to be his birthday, I thought I’d throw him a bone. As a result, it was my job to make reservations this year. I called a month before Valentine’s Day and hung up the phone with a reservation at 9 p.m. That was the best the host could offer. Who are the freak shows calling more than a month in advance for reservations? Give me a break; the food’s not that good.

Now that I have told you what to do, let me tell you what not to do. It’s Valentine’s Day, and you turn to your girlfriend and say, “So, what should we do tonight?” She cuts her eyes at you and says, “What did you just say to me?” Yeah, this conversation should never ever happen. This is what is called the beginning of the end — of your relationship, that is.

Honestly, Valentine’s Day is not that hard to pull off successfully. A girl just needs to feel loved and special. I know plenty of girls who hate the holiday — not because they are single, but because they have never had a wonderful experience with it. It kills me so many of them have given up on ever having a wonderful Feb. 14.

This is not the time to throw in the towel on one’s hopes and dreams of having a thoughtful boyfriend. Guys, work with me. If you do not have any reservations, go to the store, pick up some of your date’s favorites and make her dinner.

Pick up some flowers while you’re there. Get a sweet but not sappy card and do not write, “See ya,” for the closing.

If you haven’t been dating long, she will think she hit the jackpot. If you have, get her a little present, too — nothing huge. You don’t want to give her a false sense of hope for the future. Just make sure you put SOME thought into it, and remember to scrape the price sticker off the bottom. Happy Valentine’s Day!

E-mail Meghan at [email protected]