“Ah, love. L-O-V-E, love. L is for life, for what is life without”…okay, so maybe Ross Geller’s drunken explanation of the word that has been flashing around us for the last month isn’t necessarily the one to base our definition on, but it’s a great place to start.
Lately, it seems like Valentine’s Day has gotten a bad rap for being a lonely holiday, but I can’t remember a time when it wasn’t my very favorite holiday. Not because I always had a Valentine to spend the day with, but because I had a multitude of friends and family who I got to be around. I enjoy the excuse to be able to bake themed goodies and hand them out to my loved ones and make a fun day out of a holiday that many people dread. But why is it so dreaded?
When you think about it, Valentine’s Day is simply a day dedicated to love. Love for your significant other, your family, your friends, and most importantly, yourself. It’s a day to step back and reflect on one of the most fundamental parts of life, and how many people you have surrounding you, not one that makes you dwell on feeling sorry for yourself for not being in a relationship. It’s so important to realize that this day is more than just eating chocolate (don’t get me wrong, I am wholehearted supporter of doing this anyway), but it’s for being appreciative of the chance to enjoy an entire day that is dedicated to indulging, to taking some time to do what makes you happy, and to give you time to show others how much they mean to you.
So, I asked a few people from across the relationship spectrum (ranging from single, newly dating, to being in a long-term relationship) about their thoughts and some of their favorite memories of Cupid’s holiday.
Meet our lovely contributors:
Mike – Single but not alone. In the good company of his favorite men, Jose Cuervo and Jack Daniels
Garrett – Single but armed with a romantic heart
Edyn – Finding herself actually not single for V-day, “Are girls supposed to do something for Valentine’s Day?”
Anna – Newly dating a wonderful, soccer-loving man
Maeve – In a long-term relationship with her boyfriend of almost two years
Elizabeth – Enjoying another holiday with her boyfriend
Matt – Celebrating his second Valentine’s Day with his girlfriend
What are your thoughts when you walk into a store and see all the Valentine’s Day stuff? Or when you see couples walking around?
“Aside from panicking about how quickly it’s approaching and a lack of a date, I usually have an urge to buy a lot of Valentine’s Day gifts. Girlfriend or not, I have amazing women in my life that I know would love some chocolates or a ridiculously oversized bear. Couples walking around only make me smile. PDA is usually something people aren’t into, but V-Day is a bit different just because you know they are going to have a great day (hopefully). It’s just a day with very little negativity.” – Garrett
“Seeing Valentines merchandise in stores makes me feel incredibly happy. Not because I have someone special to buy it for, but because all the candy will be 75% off on February 15th, which means I’ll be eating my feelings for 75% off. I may be alone, but I’m THRIFTY and alone. Seeing couples walk around on Valentine’s Day makes me incredibly jealous. Not because I need someone to hold hands with, just because I can’t hold hands with my true love, tequila, in most public places. #LegalizeCuervoMarriage #LoveWins” – Mike
“Ew.” *moments later* “When I walk into Walgreens (you guys don’t have that here, it’s like Rite Aid, but totally better – shout out to the Midwest) I am completely overwhelmed by pink everything. Anyone that knows me knows I’m not exactly the ‘pink’ type. But, once my eyes adjust to the scene and I see the CHOCOLATE, then I’m like, ah yes, I will sacrifice my eyes and buy a pink-packaged box of chocolates – for myself. I guess I thank the holiday for allowing this excessive indulgence to be totally acceptable.” – Edyn
Do you have any plans for the chocolatey holiday?
“I’m glad you asked, I have a SUPER FUN day planned. I thought I’d start the day with breakfast in bed (which I’ll make for myself and bring back to the bedroom). Then I figured it would be really fun to go ice-skating downtown and hold hands with random couples, just to see if I can box someone out and steal their boyfriend. Finally, I’ll finish out the day with a romantic, fluorescent-lightbulb-lit dinner of regret and Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso at Hillman Library, because I’ll inevitably forget about the essay I have due on Monday! Too fun!” – Mike
“I usually do not figure out my Valentines Day plans until maybe the day before, if my date is lucky. I have a friend who is a phenomenal baker and I have a feeling she will be making a few V-Day treats so plan #1 is to cop a few of those!” – Garrett
What’s your favorite Valentine’s Day memory?
“My favorite Valentine’s memory would have to be in I think 3rd grade when we made those intricate mailboxes out of cardboard for everyone to go around the room and put their valentine’s in. I remember my dad writing my name in calligraphy on the top, and thinking how cool everyone would know I was for being so fancy. At that point I don’t think I actually cared about the messages or even the candy, I just got super into decorating that little, pink box.” – Anna
“My favorite Valentine’s Day memory is from elementary school, when everyone brought in little candies to give to each person in their class. One year, I had an idea that can only be described as genius. I hid the whooooole bag of mini Twix bars that my mom gave me in my backpack, and told my teacher I forgot them. Then when I got home, I rushed down to the basement and hid them behind a bookshelf. Over the course of a few days I ate about half the bag, until one night I came down and there were two mice in my bag of chocolate. I panicked and yelled for my dad, who told me I’m an idiot for keeping candy hidden in the basement and proceeded to chase the mice around for hours (per my mother’s forceful suggestion) while attacking the poor mice with a hockey stick. Remember when this article was about love and NOT chopping mice in half? That was nice.” – Mike
“My favorite memory of Valentine’s is when my boyfriend surprised me with reservations to a restaurant and I showed up (in leggings) with my boyfriend (in sweats) to a 5-star restaurant with a dress code! Needless to say we stuck out like sore thumbs, but the food was awesome and now I can tease him about making a reservation and not looking at anything except the address.” – Maeve
“My favorite memory of the holiday would probably be a few years ago. I took my date to dinner and a movie. I believe it was the day Safe Haven came out in theaters. The reason I loved this day so much was because, once again, my planning was terrible and realized I needed a date on the morning of the 14th. So I grabbed some flowers and went to this girl’s house. Surprisingly enough this beautiful being did not already have a date. I loved how simple the date was and it just reminded me that love is everywhere even when you think there isn’t any. Well, that, and it ended with a fairly memorable kiss.” – Garrett
“My favorite Valentine’s Day memory would have to be last year. It was my first Valentine’s Day with my current girlfriend and we just decided to have a nice relaxing night together. I made her a nice dinner and we cuddled up and watched movies together. It was nothing special or extravagant but it was perfect for us. I think a lot of people believe that you have to do something over the top and spectacular in order to impress your significant other, but I don’t think that’s necessarily true. I believe as long as you are together and happy, it really doesn’t what you are doing.” – Matt
“Two Valentine’s days ago (2014) my boyfriend and I made plans to go to an adorable ice cream shop called Sweet Creams Cafe on our hometown’s Main Street. It ended up going completely wrong–we got side swiped by a large truck and Sweet Creams ended up being CLOSED…so he took me to my ex’s father’s restaurant instead (also not the best move). Given these misfortunes, we made the most out of it and enjoyed the special day together, concluded with fondue of course!” – Elizabeth
Is there anything you’d like people without Valentines to remember?
“To those of you who don’t have a valentine: take advantage of the chocolate deals on February 15 and have a singles day. Before I had a man in my life I loved hanging out with my girlfriends, eating Ben & Jerry’s, and watching chick flicks. Your future BF probably won’t watch Sex in the City or Friends with you so enjoy the company of those who will!” – Maeve
“I’ve always taken Valentine’s Day to celebrate the love I have for the most significant people in my life, but this year someone will be returning those sentiments. I feel like Valentine’s Day is a day to love yourself as well, and having someone else there to remind you how special they think you are just sweetens the deal. I don’t think my boyfriend and I have any exciting plans, but it’ll be fun to have an excuse to watch romantic movies, dress up and go out to eat, and spend an entire day just together.” – Anna
“I would simply tell them not to let it get them and bring them down. Valentine’s Day is really just any other day so maybe hang out with other single friends and keep your mind off it.” – Matt
“Being single on Valentine’s Day doesn’t change the meaning behind the holiday; tell the people you love how important they are to you! Other ways to enjoy the holiday are to treat yo’ self, get together with the gals or your family or fall in love with something new (yoga, painting, playing an instrument, etc.)! No matter how you spend the holiday, don’t forget the crucial part…lots of chocolate.” – Elizabeth
As for myself, I’m ecstatic about being able to bombard everyone around me with cheesy food pun compliments, and remind them that even if they aren’t pleased about not having a significant other, they still have a ‘pizza’ my heart.