A Valentine's Day breakup happened to a 44-year-old mom and wife, who was looking forward to celebrating Valentine's Day with her husband. Although her husband knew that this was her favorite holiday of the year, that did not stop him from surprising her with divorce papers instead of roses and chocolates.
Amy revealed to the New York Post that her husband blindsided her six years ago by telling her that he wanted a divorce because he was unhappy with their marriage. She and her husband have been married for seven years, and they have two young girls together. She had no idea of his feelings until she saw the papers.
Despite that crushing moment, Amy still loves the holiday and describes herself as an eternal optimist and a romantic who loves celebrating love. While she may never forget getting dumped on Valentine's Day, Amy has moved on with a longtime boyfriend, and they have been exchanging gifts every Valentine's Day since.
Cruel to Break Up on Valentine's Day
Her experience happens to all kinds of people. Actress Margot Robbie admitted on national TV that she made the heartless move to break up with a boyfriend on Valentine's Day. On the other hand, Actress Regina King got dumped on Valentine's Day years ago.
According to divorce lawyer Martha Cohen Stine, divorcing on Valentine's Day is a "cold and cruel strategy" and a "vindictive tactic." She admitted that she had seen many clients who want the divorce papers served on this day of love, but she believes it is a "cruel and unnecessary" action from someone whose only intention is to hurt their former partner.
Lawyer Mike Chionopoulos said on Fox4Now that divorce season is usually the first three months of the year after the family has hurdled through the Christmas season. Valentine's Day is the last-ditch effort to save the relationship for many couples.
Some people wait and see how their partner will treat and behave towards them on Valentine's Day before they finally decide to end the marriage or reconcile. For some, this holiday serves as a litmus test for those who want their partner to prove that they can still make an effort.
"Valentine's Day is the time to celebrate love," therapist Amanda Luterman said. "Sometimes that means reminding people that they should have love that they should celebrate."
Still the Most Romantic Day?
A 2020 survey from YouGov showed that 45 percent of Americans believe that couples should break up before February 14, while only five percent believe that it's okay to break up on the actual Valentine's Day. Another 14 percent said they have dumped someone on this day of love, but it's mostly millennials who cry or make someone cry instead of celebrating love on February 14.
More than 46 percent said that Valentine's Day feels too commercialized, and six percent said that they feel the pressure to please someone on this day. However, 30 percent said that February 14 is not just for couples as it may also be the right day to show a good gesture to someone they are not romantic with.
