Intentionally or not, that marketing policy marginalizes me and the committed relationship I’ve been in for nine months. But to point out the absense of valentine's cards for gays isn't enough.

We live in a society where advertising is everything and the ads don't include us. What, only middle-aged men can give jewelry to their wives? Valentine gifts are supposed to express of love, and there are plenty of men and women who love other men and women. Ignoring my particular demographic is just another way of wishing us away.

Since all the cards from ''your loving boyfriend'' have flowers or gender specific images, I'll be skipping the Valentine's card purchase. No matter, the plan is for us to watch some comic-book movies and order in Chinese. He knows how much he means to me and that’s something I tell him every day, so why should Valentine’s Day be any different?

I'm not bitter or angry, just feeling left out.

For all you fans of Valentine’s Day, I wish you and yours the best this holiday, even if I’m not a part of it.

Calhoun Kersten is a Cincinnati, Ohio, native who now calls Chicago home. A recent graduate of Columbia College, he blogs at Confessions Of A Self-Proclaimed Megalomaniac.