It's that time of year again: birds are twittering, flowers are blooming, and explosions of red and pink splashes of color catch your eye everywhere you go. But as romantic as Valentine's Day can be for some, for others it is anything but a bed of roses.

Part of the Valentine's Day tradition is to find some sort of gift that reflects your true feelings towards your spouse or significant other. And while a few of the more obvious choices in stores include boxes of chocolate and giant stuffed teddy bears, some individuals are opting for an even bolder statement: divorce papers.

Though today is most frequently thought of as a holiday full of love and affection, more and more couples seem to be breaking up instead. According to a recent study, divorce rates actually spike around Valentine's Day. So why are more couples deciding to separate?

One main factor could be that the relationship between the couple was already strained and Valentine's Day becomes the last straw. When that is the case, other issues may surface that could push a couple to go from celebrating their romance to dissolving a marriage:

  • Higher expectations - around Valentine's Day, the pressure is on to find the perfect gift for that special someone; failing to meet those expectations can be damaging to an already strained relationship
  • Rare thoughtfulness - if Valentine's Day is one of the only days that a spouse showers their loved one with gifts and affection, the loved one may feel underappreciated; this holiday may only amplify that feeling
  • Infidelity - a husband who may be hiding a girlfriend from his wife, or vice versa, may have gifts mixed up and sent to the wrong person

Filing for divorce or seeking marriage dissolution can be a very complex and time-consuming process. Emotions run high and it is a difficult time for anyone involved, especially around the time of year when it can seem like everyone else in the world has been struck by Cupid's arrow.

Source: The 33 News online, "Valentines Day is Divorce Day," Amber Fisher, 12 February 2011