I KNOW the guys read Jason Godfrey’s article titled A Valentine’s Day secret (Big Smile No Teeth, Feb 12). I’m sure the ladies must have, too. (I did.)

We have been dropping hint after hint after hint, like the Pearl Harbour bombing, yet the guys just don’t seem to get it. We just want to feel extra special on that one day and we need for you guys to show it.

You wouldn’t want to be at the receiving end if you forget Valentine’s Day.

You can forget birthdays because you can get a “Happy Belated Birthday” card. (If they have it in print, then it’s acceptable to be late – but don’t bank too much on it.) You can forget anniversaries because you can always say, “I didn’t forget, honey. It’s just that they needed time to carve this 18K diamond.”

But never ever forget Valentine’s Day. A dozen red roses or a box of chocolates will not cut it anymore. Guys, hear Jason out: Splurge, Splurge, Splurge – with a capital S.

But a word of advice (oooh, this is the male side of me speaking): start small and leave room for an upgrade so you won’t have to scratch your poor head trying to outdo yourself the following year.

That said, remember the tactic of keeping expectations low. I’m telling you, it really works.

My message to all ladies out there who did not read the article: read it and brush up on your acting skills. Most importantly, lap it all up.

Don’t care if your guy rents a chopper to fly you out to dinner, or writes a love message on a billboard. This is your time. You deserve it because ... there’s always a because. Because after the wedding bells, all of this will fade into the pool of your memories, like a fairy tale.

Ah well, after all that has been said and done, remember that money can’t buy love. So start appreciating the people around you and treasure them all year round.

Ong Mei Mei

• Faltering young hearts
• Fabric buttons
• Think out of the box
• Button up
• Get arty at home
• Facing the bullies
• She dared to dream
• Facing death twice