I have been single on Valentine’s Day for the past 20 years. Surprisingly, I am okay with this. Valentine’s Day didn’t mean much to me or my friends when we were young. I was satisfied with the box of chocolates my mom got me and the mini cards I received from classmates. But now, at age 20, everyone around me is freaking out over this “special day.” All my single friends are stressing and trying to look their best so someone will ask them out. All my friends who are in relationships are stressing over what to get their significant other. Then there’s me – happily single and happily spending Valentine’s Day alone with some Non-dairy Ben and Jerry’s and Netflix. I’ve found over the years that being single on Valentine’s Day isn’t really that big of a deal. It’s exactly like being single every other 364 days of the year.
Since the age of 17, my best friend back home and I have spent Valentine’s Day together. Each year we’ve dressed up in our best clothes and gone out to eat at a fancy vegan restaurant, then proceeded to go back home and put on comfy clothes while watching a comedy movie. Each year I felt happy and content. I felt amazing and grateful that I had a best friend willing to spend her time with me, especially on Valentine’s Day. It felt good being single on this day. I could actually enjoy it the way I wanted to and not stress over what to get my partner.
This year, one of my best friends from college and I are going to Asheville, North Carolina. We are renting a tiny house, eating at a fancy vegan restaurant, and hitting up all the hiking trails – and we are super excited for it. We’re both single and young, and want to enjoy it while it lasts. As I’ve gotten older, I have come to many realizations. Maybe it’s because I’m turning into an adult (oh no!) or just because I’ve been single for so long, but as long as I have my closest friends near me, then that’s all I need. Every girl needs close friends in her life. My two best friends are practically family to me. They know all my ugly sides and love me anyway. They accept me and support me as I grow and change. Of course it would be great to have a partner to share my life with, but as of right now, that’s just not the case. I need to be okay with being single and doing things on my own. If I’m not, then how am I supposed to be okay with a partner in my life?
So if you’re single on Valentine’s Day this year, don’t fret! Grab a bunch of your closest friends and have the time of your life. Go out or stay in. Order in Thai food and watch a romantic movie. Get all dressed up and dance around your rooms. Go to a club and sing karaoke all night long. Stay in your pajama’s and pour your hearts out to each other. Whatever it is you’re doing this Valentine’s Day, be okay with it!
Here’s to all my single ladies!