Valentine’s Day: Can’t Live With It, Can’t Live Without It
For all the lovebirds out there, Valentine’s Day could mean flowers, chocolates, teddy bears, and pretty cards. And for those single ladies, it could just be a reminder of how single you really are. So how do those two groups deal with the hugs-and-kisses-filled holiday?
The media may put the fantasy Valentine’s Day dreams in our minds. Movies like The Notebook, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, and granted anything Disney, make us feel like if our lives don’t involve soul mates and glass slippers then we’re in trouble. But girls remember, those are just movies and those relationships are scripted. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone actually say, “If you’re a bird, I’m a bird” to their loved one as Noah professes to Allie in The Notebook.
On campus, there are the girls who flaunt their plethora of gifts while humming to love songs of Taylor Swift. Or, you may encounter a girl dressed in black listening to the more anti-love songs like Cee Lo Green’s “[Forget] You.” My Facebook news feed is filled with status ranging from relationship anniversary dates to “Happy Single Awareness Day!” type comments. But do we all need to be so extreme about it? As someone who’s not in a relationship, there’s definitely that little part of me that wants to walk around bitterly about the holiday. But I’ve found that doesn’t actually help me get through it. My advice? Spend the holiday with anyone who you know loves or cares about you. From our best friends, to our family, to good ‘ol Ben-and-Jerry, we can enjoy the holiday too.
To those in relationships, you should be happy, excited, and pro-Valentine’s Day. But don’t put so much pressure on getting things to flaunt. That way, Valentine’s Day can be about your relationship rather than competing with the other girls who have rose petals at their dorm room doors. My friend said she actually made her boyfriend tear up with a long, heart-felt letter, so maybe give that a try. This is an opportunity to make your relationship grow, not your supply of flowers and chocolates. And from how I’ve seen my friends and their boyfriends, it really can be something that’s special for the two people.
All and all, it’s one personal day to make what you can out of it. And then we’ve all got another whole year to strive to make the next Valentine’s Day one to remember.