It's February the 14th once again. Valentines Day.
Historically, I tended to refer to today as "Single Awareness Day". I never meant it in a sour or wistful sort of way. I didn't really do any dating in high school (I'm still not exactly great at it); but I must confess, some of the displays of Valentines affection you see on a high school campus are absolutely nauseating. With that in mind, I chose to celebrate the day my own way - in celebration of my being single. And so I carried out the February 14's of my adolescence.
And I find myself in the same scenario this year. Not much has changed. I'm older, in a new home, and I have done more dating than...well, none. Once again, Valentine's Day is just another day for me. I'm not complaining. I hope it doesn't sound that way. I'm not bummed or anything - this year, I just didn't find someone I wanted to share my Valentines Day with. So life will go on, and the search for next year begins.
I've found it interesting that there are so many who are embittered today. Those who find themselves single today often react by moping and making their pitiful plight known to anyone who will listen. Some poke fun at the holiday itself, or at those who DO happen to be celebrating it with a significant other.
Normally I wouldn't care. But as the day has approached, and I've watched my four roommates and my closest friends prepare special somethings for those who they're celebrating with, I've gotten to see how Valentines Day (while often a commercial whore of a holiday) is, at its core, a day to celebrate finding happiness. Finding it through someone special is what we tend to celebrate today; but I'm convinced that those who are single like me don't have to take today as a day to remember that they're alone this year, or that they haven't found someone to shower with gifts, or to wonder if there's something wrong with them. Today can be a happy day for the single folks, too. Look at the good things you have. Think of the friends and family you do have good relationships with.
So, I will no longer be referring to February 14 as "Single Awareness Day". Nobody needs to be made aware of their single status today. Chances are they already know (hopefully...). Valentines Day is a good enough name. After all, surely something in your life makes you happy, no matter how you're spending the day.
So to everyone, paired up or single: Happy Valentines Day!
(And to the single folks: hang in there guys. We've always got next year.)
