Every year, I pretend to hate Valentines Day. I act like all the other boyfriend-less, Valentine-less girls who dread that day of overly cute couples and obviously lonely singles. Honestly, I am a Valentine’s Day-hater wannabe. In reality, I can’t get enough of it. Pink and red hearts? Love them. Chocolate EVERYWHERE? Yes please.
It is not so much that I enjoy not having a special Valentine, but Valentine’s Day has always been more to me than just a box of chocolates and roses (although I do love chocolate…). In fact, if it weren’t for Valentine’s Day, I wouldn’t even be here.
On February 14th, 1987, my parents vowed to spend the rest of their lives together and begin a family. Later, on their tenth wedding anniversary, I became a big sister. So every year, on Valentine’s Day, I celebrate my parents’ anniversary and my little brother’s birthday. Thanks to them, I have a very special perspective on this holiday. How could I possibly hate it? It’s the day my family began, and the day I was given a younger brother. I could care less about my relationship status.
You see, Valentine’s Day is not about how many of those awkward folding cards you received in class or whether or not you have a special date. Valentine’s Day is about love—romantic or not! So what if you are single? There’s no book titled, “Valentine’s Day Rules,” that says February 14 is for couples only. Love comes in all shapes and sizes, whether it is between you and your Golden Retriever or you and your significant other. Who says you cannot buy flowers for your mom? What’s wrong with going out to dinner with your best friend? Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate all types of love and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Isn’t that the only reason we’re here in the first place? (Making love…duh.)
So to anyone who “hates” Valentine’s Day, stop it. Don’t feel sorry for yourself if you don’t have a hot date planned or didn’t get any roses (they’re going to die anyway). Go out with all your single friends. Spend the day with your parents. Make a picture frame for your sister. Find a reason to celebrate, and if I have failed to convince you that it’s okay to be single and still love Valentines Day, at least do it for the chocolate—because chocolate alone is a good enough reason.