I know this must come as a shock, but not all single ladies hate Valentine’s Day. When February rolls around there seems to be only a handful of responses associated with the upcoming day: couples that brag about their romantic plans, couples and single people who reject the whole notion of Valentine’s Day as a “commercial holiday created by the media blah blah blah”, and the single people, mostly girls, who lament another year staying at home eating Ben and Jerry’s with the reminder that they are forever alone. I’m here to offer an alternative perspective: as a single woman I think it’s absolute crap that the media and society tell me I should feel miserable about being alone on Valentine’s Day. I know that a celebration of romantic love was the intention behind the creation of the holiday, but I’ve given V-Day a rebranding—Galentine’s Day, a celebration of all my gals. I owe the title to a hilarious episode of Parks and Recreation, but I’ve expanded upon the original premise; for me, Valentine’s Day or rather Galentine’s Day isn’t just a celebration of my women friends, but of all my friendships.
I owe much of my positive outlook on Valentine’s Day to my mom. She is a woman who loves any excuse to celebrate or have a party or make a day special. Every year on Feb.14th I would wake up to some V-Day themed socks and my favorite candy (the Valentine’s cherry tootsie pops if you’re interested). All these presents came with the same message, “I love you. Not because you are loved by someone else, but because you are deserving on your own.” I never forgot that message and overtime I adopted my mom’s enthusiasm for all minor holidays, especially Valentine’s Day. I never grew out of the elementary school Valentine’s exchange stage. I still send my friends (and the occasional lover) Valentines because it’s fun and I like letting the people in my life who are important to me know that I care.
I don’t subscribe to the over the top roses and cliché teddy bear (there’s nothing wrong if you do), but I do buy into Valentine’s Day as a celebration of love—in all its forms. Instead of sitting at home lamenting about my single relationship status (which by the way there is NOTHING wrong with) I’m going to be laughing with my friends and celebrating another year of romantic mishaps, crazy nights, and twerking (yes, twerking). I may pause for a joke or two about my resident cat lady status (cats rock…), but don’t be fooled — I’m not lonely or miserable or unfulfilled. I am surrounded by amazing people and incredible friendships so screw Ben and Jerry’s, pass the champagne and turn up the music.