Valentine's Blues!

Relationships are so weird here in Kenya. LOL, well, most of them. I feel really bad for some of my friends whose partners cheat on them, and they find it the norm. Worse of guys who think they can get away with it. I’ll take this moment to thank God for my dear friend ‘Karma’. I’ve always wondered about guys who say they love someone and yet cheat on them, because you can’t claim to love someone, yet cheat on them. You must not know what love is… Let’s just say, “HE DOESN’T CARE ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS BECAUSE THERE’S NO FEELINGS INVOLVED IN THAT RELATIONSHIP IN THE FIRST PLACE!”

I don't know if I should blame the girls who obviously can't stand being alone and rush into relationships even though they aren’t ready. The girls who are with guys who obviously treat them badly, and I have to continuously hear everything wrong with this relationship over and over again. Girls who lie to themselves that there are no strings attached keep falling into the same trap. Girls who complain about not getting attention when they forget they are the ones who did all the chasing in that relationship; hence, the guy couldn't care less. Worse of the girls who are in a relationship with a guy who doesn’t even know is in one.  

Another thing I noticed is the lack of respect or affection Kenyans show towards each other compared to American relationships. (Well, I'm comparing this to my friend's relationships, not the TV, so relax) and I wonder what these relationships are based on. Some people seem more miserable than happy; I always wonder why they are together.

Do we (I'll say we, cause I am also Kenyan and I'll not exempt myself this time) not know how to love? Do we care too much for PDA that we bother not to show affection? Is a kiss of appreciation not worth giving, even in public? A kiss on the forehead, the chick, or a nice warm hug, hold hands, shit even a kiss on the lips, am not saying jump on her and get down to business there and then. Come on! At least in my case, I don't lie about it. I'd hate to be in a relationship and have no affection for the person I'm dating. Why even bother?

Oh, let’s not forget social media and how couples embrace each other in their profile pictures. How they look at each other, smile, and everything looks so natural with my friends in America. Here in Kenya, as a photographer, trying to take a couple's shoot at times can be torture because everything seems so awkward and forced. I get that you’re shy, but geez... make me feel sorry about making me have to ask you to 'act like you love your partner' for the picture (note the sarcasm by the way).

Makes me wonder, do we settle for love? Do our men and women lack affection? Are we not attracted to one another? I’m I wrong for wanting more than just a smile, a pat on the back, or for wanting more than just a simple friendship?

Maybe it's me... lol maybe I’m happy being single, or say I am. Maybe I'm not really looking for anyone. Maybe I’m contemptuous of the idea of relationships. Maybe that's why couples around me look so fake! 'Maybe,' I mean who knows!!!???

Either way, to all those couples that can proudly say: 

·        They are in relationships because they are ready and want to be in it.

·        They trust each other and are not cheating on one another.

·        They acknowledge each other and encourage each other to be better.

·        They see each other spending the rest of their lives together.

·        They are proud of their partner and want to show them to the world.

To all of you who can easily say those things:

HAPPY VALETINES TO YOU, HAPPY COUPLES!!!