Happy Valentine's Day!

Today, I am going to talk about a well-known holiday.  This holiday is often filled with pink and red heart-shaped balloons, heart-shaped chocolates, heart-shaped flower arrangements, and heart-shaped pizza.  Yes, I'm talking about Valentine's Day.

Most years on this day I sit depressed in my room, staring at the walls, thinking of all the happy couples giving gifts to each other.  This behavior started in Junior High when girls--who I then considered lucky--got glass roses from their boyfriends and parents delivered to them in the middle of class (but someone like me, who was often out of the loop, never knew if that thirteen-year-old girl had a boyfriend or if it was just their parents treating them super special).

Two years were different.  On one year I had a crush on a boy and gave him a can of hot cocoa (I felt that was a clear enough message without being too forward).  I soon after became that boy's girlfriend and we dated for six months or so.  While at first it felt good to have so much attention, the relation eventually became a place that was unhealthy for either of us as he turned into an emotionally controlling boyfriend and I was too compliant to put my foot down.  My mother was actually the one who kicked him out of the house and broke us up.

On another year, I had been dating a young man for a couple of months--though we hadn't yet even held hands.  He was taking it slow, and I was so madly in love with him that I decided I'd let him go as slow as he wanted.  I was giddy with excitement on Valentine's Day.  They night before, I had fussed over the cards section, looking for the perfect card--one that wasn't too lovey-dovey but that clearly stated that I hoped someday we would be more than friends that went on outings every weekend (and sometimes mid-week).  I also got him chocolates of the non-heart-shaped variety--gourmet dark chocolates, each bar made with different cocoa beans from different parts of the world, yielding unique and exotic flavors.  I called him, asking him to come over, and I gave him the chocolates, flirting so hard and feeling so giddy that I was somewhere near the stars.  He gave me nothing, said he'd forgotten all about Valentine's Day.  I was still a little giddy, but somewhat deflated.  When he left, I felt awkward, stupid, and a bit empty.  Later that evening, my dad came over to my apartment and hand-delivered my annual Valentine's Day gift from my parents--a teddy bear with a little pink sweatshirt.  I've never been so pleased to see a teddy bear and felt so much love for my parents (especially my dad, the bearer of gifts) than at that moment.  I've often slept with that teddy bear since then--she's getting a little tattered by now.

What does this have to do with Valentine's Day today?  Well, looking back on these experiences, I've realized something.  I have never been alone on Valentine's Day--not truly.  Yes, there were times that I may have felt alone, times when I felt misunderstood, lonely, depressed, but there have always been this small group of people that I could always--always--count on.  My family has always been there for me.  They have always showered me with love, regardless of the day of the year.  I love them deeply, and I am happy for them and their successes.  I would rather spend all my Valentine's Days single than trade my family for another one.  Perhaps I am lucky that way.

So everyone, hug your loved ones today!  Singles, stop calling this day Singles Awareness Day.  It's not--it's Valentine's Day.  So stop looking at those depressing gray walls, stop stuffing your face with that chocolate and ice cream that you bought yourselves, and go hug a loved one today--a friend, a parent, a dog.  Those of you with spouses, boyfriends/girlfriends/significant others, I rejoice for you.  Love them, cherish them, treat them right.  Those of you with children, love them with all your might!  Teach them that Valentine's Day is more than glass roses and boxed chocolates.  Teach them that it is one day a year to have fun with showing love.  Show love every day, but make it extra fun today--bake cookies, have a bubble party, make a movie.  Everyone, let's celebrate all the loved ones in our lives today!