As I clicked my way through my new obsession, Pinterest, during class I came across the cutest, most unique Valentine’s Day gifts I have ever seen. I tapped my friend’s shoulder to show her what I had pulled up on my laptop. It was a card with a thumbprint that read, “Thumb-body loves you.” To my surprise, I received no reaction. What I found to be absolutely brilliant was far from appealing and almost nauseating to my friend.
It became clear to me that Valentine’s Day is no longer the amusing holiday it once was in second grade when everyone stuffed Snoopy cards into hand-crafted mailboxes and signed them “your friend,” or “ your valentine.” As we’ve entered our teenage years, Valentine’s day has become a dreadful holiday.
So, I want to remind you that there really are some great guys out there. Whether he’s a goofball or jock, next door or hundreds of miles away I promise you, he’s out there.
I met my boyfriend when I gave up searching. He took me on a date the night after I met him and held my hand. W
e went to dinner and the movies and then he drove me home in his red Volkswagen GTI with black rims.
He never pressured me into doing anything I didn’t want to do and he biked me home on his handlebars every night in time to make curfew. Less than a month later, he was willing to give us a chance and asked me to be his girlfriend, even though I was leaving for my freshman year of college and he was getting ready to graduate college.
I thought guys like him didn’t exist, but they do and I couldn’t be more grateful to have him in my life.
What I’ve learned from past relationships is that you have to learn to love yourself before you can love someone else. Be confident, love your personality, and love your body. Put yourself out there but don’t throw yourself at people. Respect yourself, the people you love, and even the people you don’t. Be mature in childish situations and put your foot down when you’re getting treated badly. This is your life and all that matters is that you surround yourself with people that matter to you. Be thankful and most of all, be happy, whether you’re in a relationship or not.
I’ll leave you
with one of my favorite quotes and hopefully it will inspire you to believe in love again this Valentine’s day.
“Find someone who’ll never get tired of kissing you everyday, who’ll hug you when your jealous, who’ll understandingly keep silent when you’re mad, who’ll squeeze your hand when you’re not in the mood, who’ll plan and imagine the future with you in it, and when you find that someone, just never let go.” [Anonymous]
Love,
Her Campus’ biggest hopeless romantic