I Love LOVE

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          Oh, Valentine’s day. That special time of year where if you are in a relationship you get to be “that couple” at the booth in the corner making googly-eyes at each for the whole night. If you are single the sight of “that couple” causes you to either be mildly nauseous or a little distraught that you don’t have a Valentine. I like to buy myself a small bouquet of flowers; 1.Because I like flowers and I deserve them and 2. Because I have never been given flowers and I deserve them. Not every “single” girl or guy takes my route though. For many Valentine’s Day is a crap-tastic day to remember that you are in fact single, that no secret admirer is going to send you chocolates or write you a poem. For those it is known as Singles Awareness Day. I wanted to write this blog to sort out some of the confusion around Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day is primarily for the ladies

         I hate to break the bad news to the gentlemen who read my blog but Valentine’s Day is not for you. Why? Most women, single or taken, mark Valentine’s Day in their calendars to prepare for what may happen; A date with a new guy or a loved one, to watch The Notebook for the 3^rd year in a row, a night out with the girls representing All The Single Ladies. No matter what happens we need to prepare. Valentine’s Day is a day for gentlemen to shower ladies with the most romantic gestures. We know that they will eventually die but we really do want those flowers. The other night I was hanging out with some guy friends while they fixed my brakes (May I just say that a guy that can fix a car is sexy!). I asked them if Valentine’s Day was even a big deal for men, they said “not really”. I figured I would get that response.

Why is it such a big deal!?

         Most people would say that you are supposed to show your love to someone you care about all year round and not just on February 14^th. True, but there is something about Valentine’s Day that is mildly liberating. Because there is already a stigma around the day that you are required to show your love its like a no-rules barred kinda day. For many lucky people, they will have an opportunity to spend the day with a loved one and have their love reciprocated. For others who harbor a crush, they will have an opportunity to finally share how they feel. And for those who don’t have either it is an opportunity to eat your feelings (Don’t do that, just hang with friends). Valentine’s Day is a big deal purely because we make it a big deal. We all have a want/need to love and be loved in return. The world will not end and you will not die alone if you do not happen to have a Valentine. However: if you do have a ton of cats and avoid the public you might have a problem. It is not a terrible thing to be single on Feb. 14^th. My suggestion: get outside yourself. Donate you time and love to a women’s shelter or call your mom!

For men with a first date on Valentine’s Day

         This is for someone particular but he will remain unnamed. I have to commend the men for this ballsy move because like a said before; Valentine’s Day is an important day for the ladies. Treat the night like a regular date but with a twist. Be romantic and surprise her. A tip: take her to do something active like ice-skating. It has been proven that when you take a girl to do something active it increases levels of oxytocin (The natural love drug) and you have a better chance of her liking you. Be yourself and don’t get caught up in all the over-whelming lovey dovey stuff, it will also help her be less anxious that your date is nothing more than a first date.

Valentine’s Day is neither the best nor the worst time of the year; it is just another holiday. Everyone could use a little love so this year give a hug, give a kiss, a flower, or… a box of chocolates (couldn’t think of how to end that rhyme).

Happy Valentine’s Day to all my loved ones!

I am 20-something just trying to figure it out.