Celebrating Valentine’s Day Single for the First Time
Some people dream of a secret admirer leaving a teddy bear and chocolate at their door, and that would be enough of a fantasy for a dream Valentine’s Day. In my case, I’ve had romantic ski trips, fancy dinners, and bouquets of roses for as long as I can remember. In fact, last year I was asked to prom on Valentine’s Day by my boyfriend of the time.
When it comes to experience on Valentine’s Day, I think my luck has been overwhelming the past four years or so. This year will be my first year single on Valentine’s Day, and I’ll admit I wasn’t sure what to expect.
College is an entirely different experience than high school. Most students, especially freshmen, in college are not looking down to settle down by any means. I’m not even sure where dates fit in at Northwestern University between schoolwork, sorority events, and extracurricular activities. To be honest, Valentine’s Day crept up on me and I barely even noticed. The thing is, even though I’ve had four years of great Valentine’s Days, every year was with a different guy. I’ve learned that guys come and go, but a day with your girlfriends usually brings better memories in the long run than a moment with your ex (or the boy who will eventually be your ex).
The idea of Valentine’s Day is extremely sweet, but the holiday has become lost in the cheap boxes of chocolates and plush animals that cost $7.99 at Walgreens. The romantic aspect has become somewhat cliché, and I can’t help but cringe when people tell me their boyfriend proposed on Valentine’s Day. If people asked me what I remember the most about any of those past boyfriends, it wouldn’t be the time he took me to dinner with a million other couples crowded around us or the card that said “I Love You.” It would be the first time he told me he loved me (which was unfortunately on Valentine’s Day for the most recent ex), the first time we kissed, or even cuddling in bed watching a movie. The ordinary moments that happen on a random day usually end up a lot more special than the “dream Valentine’s Day” Hallmark instills in every girl’s head.
So if you’re happy and in love, spend Valentine’s Day enjoying each other’s company. But if you’re moping at home wondering why you don’t have a Valentine, it’s seriously nothing to stress out over. Just think of the day like any other day (which it is), and if you’re looking for some quick lust – I mean love – the Keg of Evanston will have many singles waiting for you.
Celebrating Valentine’s Day in a Relationship for the First Time in a Long Time
In 8th grade, my “boyfriend” gave me the left over carnation from the Student Government (he was the president, I aimed high) Valentine’s Day Carnation Sale. I still remember walking down the stairs after 5th hour, the last class of the day, seeing him standing there holding them in his hands. It was adorable and magical, and also the last time anybody attempted to celebrate Valentine’s Day with me.
For the first time since my freshman year of high school, when the boy hardly acknowledged Valentine’s Day existed, I am going to be in a relationship on the Hallmark holiday this year. I’m kind of excited, because I know I should be. I have a cute, silly present for my boyfriend. I’ve been pushing him for well over two weeks to plan something (which hasn’t quite happened yet, but I know will). When I sit down to think of it, though, I find myself wondering how Valentine’s Day makes February 14th different from any other day. It could be because I have never had someone to make it special for me, except my mom who tends to bake me cupcakes and give me candy. Or it could just be because the day is like any other. To be quite frank, and cheesy, I love my boyfriend just the same whether it’s the second Monday of February 2011 or not.
Don’t get me wrong, certainly the excitement of sharing a day about celebrating love when you’re actually in it is pretty thrilling. I suppose I’m just left searching for what is special about going on a date with the boy I’m, well, dating. In our busy Northwestern lives, dates are few and far between any way. He doesn’t like PDA, so if I get him to hold my hand in public I’m pretty peppy. While on an ordinary basis I may wish that these things would happen more often, Valentine’s Day is making me realize that certain normal events are really pretty special.
When all is said and done, maybe that is something to celebrate. I am in love and our relationship is exciting more than once a year. In the words of a brilliant poet you could say “all we do is win”.