If the thought of Valentine’s Day makes your stomach churn a little, trust me when I tell you that you’re not alone. The holiday may be filled with love all around, but it’s also the one we love to hate.
Let’s be real: If you’re in a steady relationship, it really is a wonderful day where you can be together and show how much you love each other. But for the rest of us in college, that looming date is a flashing reminder of how single we really are. And inquiring minds (those of hopeful grandmothers, in particular) are wondering why the single girls are still holding out and haven’t found that special someone.
But forget the hype, because the new revolution this year is that Valentine’s Day can be a day full of love for everyone: the relationship girl, the “it’s complicated” girl and yes, even all the single ladies.
In a serious relationship:
Of course this day is eagerly anticipated for those couples who have been dating for a while and are comfortable together. Forgo a night of snuggling on the couch and watching movies (don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a bad thing) to get out and have a little excitement! Take this day as an opportunity to do something out of the ordinary. It’s always nice to have a romantic dinner, but what about adding in something goofy and fun? Mini golf is always a good go-to activity. If you’d rather stick with the traditional dinner and a movie, head to the Moberly drive-in for a unique change of pace.
It’s complicated:
Maybe you’ve been hanging out for a few weeks or even a few months but haven’t yet had that awkward DTR convo (that’s “define the relationship,” according to romantic crooner Matt Wertz). The only thing worse than not knowing where you stand is an upcoming event pressuring you to head in one direction or the other. Do you say anything? Do you hang out or go on a date but ignore the fact that it’s actually the holiday of love? That judgment call depends on the type of relationship you have. Keep things light and see if your guy wants to hang out. Chances are he’ll be glad you brought it up and kept your cool. If you don’t feel like you’re that far along, grab your girlfriends for a girl’s night instead.
All the single ladies:
Luckily for all you single gals, being unattached on Valentine’s Day isn’t as depressing this year; it’s empowering. Why not own your independence and make this day all about you? Don’t let this one day of the year get you down. After all, college women are so busy, involved and accomplished these days. Boyfriends? Who needs ‘em! Here’s the key mistake that single ladies make on Valentine’s Day: sitting at home alone with a carton of ice cream. Turn this traditional moping activity around and invite over friends for a night full of comfy sweats, a movie marathon and girl talk. That sounds like more fun anyway, right? If you want to have a fun night out, call up the girls and get dolled up for a night on the town. This way, you can go out with many people you love, not just one.
But no matter what you do, embrace this day because it’s not just about the guys, or lack thereof, it’s about people in your life who are special to you.