Valentine’s Day is a special holiday. If you’re like me, and you’ve spent every February 14th single, I think you come to appreciate the holiday in a different way (at least I have).
Now I should mention, it wasn’t always like this. Even a year ago today, I was pretty critical on the holiday and everything surrounding it. I spent the day in a funk, thinking it was stupid of myself to remotely celebrate a day of love when I didn’t even have a boyfriend. In high school I dreaded walking through the halls and seeing every girl carrying balloons and teddy bears. And last year I was salty about sitting in my dorm room and watching a movie by myself.
However, when I woke up on V-Day this year, I had a different mindset. I pulled on some jeans with my favorite top and boots and walked outside to the beautiful sunny weather, listening to my favorite mood boosting songs. To others who feel as though this holiday is useless, I encourage you to find love with other people in your life and through other mediums. Spend the day loving yourself! Go shopping, put on a face mask, read a book or watch some wonderful romantic comedies to remind you of all the love that is out there in the world (or created on a film set, same difference).
I know romantic comedies can be corny, but that’s what makes them so great! Everyone needs to watch a cheesy, feel-good movie once in a while. And yes, they can tend to be a little misleading, but so is life. I’ve never had the pleasure of running into an attractive man in the hall, dropping my books and longingly gazing into each other’s eyes as he helps me pick them up, but who has?
1. When Harry Met Sally
Okay, I’ve only recently seen this movie, but I absolutely fell in love with it. Picture this: Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan in the falling autumn leaves of New York City. What could be better? When two college acquaintances find themselves meeting 10 years later, they are put to the challenge of being a man and a woman as strictly platonic friends, without sex getting in the way.
I laugh out loud watching this film. The strong, hilarious personalities of Ryan and Crystal argue and blend to make a story to last for ages. It’s a film that makes you long for the old fashioned love story you’ve always dreamed of.
2. 13 Going on 30
This movie was a STAPLE in my childhood. For one, Jennifer Garner is an angel and Mark Ruffalo as a love interest isn’t too shabby. She goes from a teen geek in the 80s kissing Rick Springfield on her bedroom TV to a flirty 30-year-old woman thriving in New York City that turns out to be kind of a b****. Her young, ambitious mind grabs ahold of her adult life and changes herself into the woman she always wanted to become- fearless, young and ready to take on all that comes her way. It also introduced me to the song “Jessie’s Girl” which is fantastic. What little girl doesn’t dream of living in their own apartment in New York and working for a high profile magazine?! (Well, maybe that’s just me.) She brings laughter and spontaneity, that she had long lost, back into her life.
3. About Time
This movie PULLS at the heartstrings. A man that has the ability to travel through time meets the love of his life and does all he can to keep his life as perfect as it can be. The quaint chemistry of Rachel McAdams and Domhnall Gleeson creates an endearing narrative that just warms your heart. It’ll make you laugh, cry and leave you with a sentiment of enjoying the time you’re given with the people you’re given.
4. Love, Simon
This is a love story for today’s youth that an audience of any age can adore. Simon Spier claims he has the perfect family, perfect friends and perfect life, but he has one secret. He’s gay.
This coming of age high school rom-com invests you in the life of Simon, and throughout the whole film, you’re rooting for him. I watched this with my best friends and we were screaming and cheering by the end of it. It includes the high school awkwardness we all go through; crushes, heartbreak and the wonderful world of online chatting with a hidden identity. You just can’t help but feel happy watching this movie.
Well, I hope you all had a great Valentine’s Day. Whether you spent it with your special someone or alone studying at a coffee shop, you got through it! I mean, it’s only one day a year. Now we have Presidents Day to look forward to, and that should be fun!