I remember my very first year living in Cleveland. I was awe-struck and fell head-over-heels in love with all the different cultures here. For me, this equated to an introduction of lots of delicious new foods. Let’s face it; even if you’ve never visited San Diego, or the white-bread, beach community I grew up in, somehow, you know how culturally different it is from Cleveland, Ohio. Even the six years I lived in Seattle’s, Pacific N.W., with all its cultural boasting as the gate-way to Asia, pales in comparison to Cleveland’s, multi-cultural Mecca.
So, it was the middle of October, 2000, and I was working at my bank job. I was busy working and only half-listening, but I do remember the buzz going on around me. It seemed as if everyone was hell-bent for election about making plans with their special someone for a holiday that fell on that weekend’s Saturday. I’d never heard of this holiday before: Swedish Day. I thought, boy, isn’t that something? Cleveland devotes an entire day to celebrate all the Swede’s living here. I sighed with such pride to be living in such a great, cultural place. Everyone was jumping on the Swedish celebration band-wagon too. I wasn’t dating anyone at that time, so I didn’t have a hot date making Swedish holiday plans for us. I thought, hmmm…I should at the very least buy some Swedish fish candies, or make Swedish meatballs to show my Swedish spirit.
“Neve, it’s not S-W-E-D-I-S-H D-A-Y, IT’S S-W-E-E-T-E-S-T D-A-Y.” One of my work-mates said to me as she stepped inside my cubicle. She was fighting back tears of laughter.
“Huh? It’s what? Sweetest Day? What is that?” I returned. My brow was furrowed and I scratched my head in disbelief.
“Um, well, it’s a made-up American Greetings holiday. And I’m not sure if anyone else celebrates Sweetest Day, except for Ohio.” She explained, but she was still chuckling under her breath.
Long pause.
It felt as if all the air had been let out of my tires. Where was the cultural support for the Swede’s? What is this Sweetest Day and why does everyone get so gaga over a made-up, forced romantic holiday? It seemed like Cleveland was celebrating Valentine’s Day twice: once in October and then again with the rest of the world in February. I really liked my version of Swedish Day a lot better. Maybe that’s because I haven’t always had the best of luck on designated romantic holidays. I got married on Valentine’s Day once; thinking pink hearts and flowers was a date we’d never forget. I’ll say, divorced three years later…it’s a day I’ll never forget.
“Oh.” I was obviously disappointed.
Forward fast to this year: last Saturday, October 17, and guess what? It was Sweetest Day here in Cleveland. It was a brisk night on Saturday. The man in my life and I walked the streets in search of a place to grab a quick bite to eat before heading to a party. We walked past a popular restaurant and peered into the large, picture windows, hoping for seat at the bar. Silly us, we didn’t have reservations and the place was packed; standing room only; filled with Sweetest Day lovers, young and old. I smiled to myself and thought, “Just look at all those people. They’re celebrating Swedish Day.”
I suppose Sweetest Day will forever be Swedish Day for this girl -
Neve Black
The Swedish blood that courses through my veins shouts a hearty, “hear, hear! We love our Swedish day!”
The Danish blood keeps saying “but what about me? When do I get the love?”
Oh well. Happy Swedish Day, Neve.
Hi Neve! Well, although I grew up in the Great Lakes region(which is where Wikipedia claims “Sweetest Day” is the most celebrated, specifically Cleveland and Buffalo) I had never heard of it before moving to Ohio with my husband. And, actually, he hadn’t heard of it either until he moved back there!
Personally, we don’t celebrate either Sweetest Day(at all) or Valentine’s Day in a way conducive to the retailers who reap most of the benefit. Instead we make sure we have a special dinner and spend time together at home. But then, we do that for all of our special days, both anniversaries(wedding and relationship), both birthdays too!
I like your version better! I’d celebrate Swedish Day!
Do they celebrate Dingus Day in Cleveland?
~Scarlett
What a great narrative, Neve! Thanks for sharing this.
I’ve seen Sweetest Day on calendars but never encountered it in the real world. Interesting to know that it’s an Ohio thing.
Craig, you could eat a sweet danish on Swe(e)(d)(t)(i)(e)s(h)(t) day, and then all the bases would be covered.
Hi Craig,
Oh boy, you would have been particularly disappointed to learn the Sweetest/Swedish Day truth.
Maybe it’s time to devote two days a year to celebrate your ancestory? We don’t want any country coming up short in your bloodlines, my friend. I’m lucky, I suppose because I’m Irish (got that one covered, March 14th), French (yep, Bastille Day) and Welsh…hell, I drink wine and beer often enough, so I think I got that one under control too.
Keep me posted on this.
Hey Scarlett,
I wondered if you had heard of this phenomena? It’s funny how many people do celebrate it around here. That restaurant was packed. Actually, it was comical, because everywhere we went that night, trying to grab a bite was chock-full of Sweetest Day lovers. I kept telling the host and hostess, “but…we’re Swedish, doesn’t that count? Don’t we get special treatment?” Hahahaha.
I suppose it doesn’t really matter if I celebrate the holiday or not, but if the person I’m involved with celebrates the holiday, that means it’s important to them. If that were the case, I would have acquiesced and probably purchased an American Greetings card *inserts fingers down throat to barf*. It sounds like you and your husband are in sync on this subject, which is great.
“I’ve seen Sweetest Day on calendars but never encountered it in the real world.” It’s quite something. It’s as everyone in the vicinity has gone mad. It’s not as bad as Tine’s Day, but… still…crazy.
Great (hysterical) advice for Craig too, Jeremy.
Love Swedish Fish. One of my all time favorites. Have some for me, Neve.
I didn’t realize it was an Ohio/ American Greetings Holiday!
You are a crack up, Neve.
It’s nice to have a holiday where you get extra sweet on your lover… and unfortunately, some guys need the “reminder”. I am fortunate enough to have found one *FINALLY* who is sweet every day.
uh huh.
Heidi!
Hey there chica-chica. I will indeed have some sweetest fish for you.
Hey there D,
Yeah, we’re a bit insulated here in Ohio sometimes.
“It’s nice to have a holiday where you get extra sweet on your lover…” You know what? You make a good point here. I’m raising a glass of bubbly to you. And good for you for having someone in your life to share those sweet thoughts and dreams with. You deserve it!
I just loved this story, Neve. I was getting all excited about Swedish Day myself as I read, wondering if it involved limpa bread and lingonberries or IKEA stores or… conversely sex toys and topless blonds and other manifestations of a liberated attitude towards sex. Hmmm, maybe WE should start a tradition along those lines? Naked picnics with meatballs? Sign me on to the Welsh Day committee, too, having quite a bit of PA coalminer blood in me. Welsh rarebit on the menu, perhaps?
Donna,
I do love the way you think. Seriously, what a fantastic idea! Naked picnics with meatballs, how perfect is that?
I’m in for the Welsh Day Committee too. It all sounds fabuloso to me.