Only One Word Rhymes with Cupid...

Question from an M.O.D. reader:

SE,
I've been dating online for a couple months. I recently connected with a guy and we exchanged a few emails. He called to arrange an in person meeting and without realizing it was Valentine's Day, I suggested this Sunday. He kind of hesitated before agreeing, and I didn't realize until after I got off the phone. He texted me yesterday to see if we were still on, but I haven't answered yet. Should I come up with an excuse and postpone until another day?

Absolutely NOT. If you weren't already familiar with my thoughts on Valentine's Day, then let me share them again: I think it's a stupid holiday. I thought so when I was single, and I think so now that I have a BF. It's another day of the year, and it shouldn't dictate whether you go out on a date with this guy. Matter of fact, if you cancel now, it'd look way more suspicious...kinda like you got a better offer. If I were him, I probably wouldn't want to go out with you after that.

If you're feeling awkward about a first date on Valentine's, call him (instead of responding via text) and say, "Look, when I suggested Sunday, I didn't realize it was Valentine's Day. I don't really celebrate the day, so if you'd prefer to meet up another day that's totally fine with me." If he says he wants to meet another day, lose his number. That means HE has a better offer. LOL. Just kidding. If he wants to reschedule grab one of your single guy friends (single gals hanging around on V-Day is just too cliche) or a mixed group and go out and have fun. If he keeps the date, go out and have fun. The goal is to have fun.

While I'm on the topic of Valentine's Day, here are some dos and don'ts if you happen to celebrate the day:

Men

• Do NOT, I repeat DO NOT, buy your girl fat-free chocolate. It can never end well.
• Don't buy her something to wear unless you are SURE of her size. That also is a recipe for disaster.
• Gym memberships, Wii Fit products anything that remotely suggests that she's fat is never a good idea, unless she specifically asks for it.
• Don't be cliche. For God's sake don't do the standard roses and candy, unless you're 16.
• DO be sincere and thoughtful; it's not how much you spend it's the thought that goes into the gift.

Ladies:

• DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT, expect that he's gonna propose to you on Valentine's Day just because you've been in a relationship for x number of years. You're setting yourself up for disappointment.
• Don't compare your gift/what your man does for you on Valentine's Day to your girlfriend's situation. It can never end well.
• Do be sincere and thoughtful. Sometimes the best gifts are not what you give him, but what you don't. (A guy friend of mine told me that all he wants for V-Day is not to be nagged, and for his girlfriend not to ask him to fix something around the house. LOL.)
• Keep it simple. Men are surprisingly easy to please.

What can I say? There's a reason only one word in the English language rhymes with Cupid.