While walking through the Promised Land (also know as Target) I headed to one of my favorite sections, home décor, to fantasize about furnishing my future apartment.
As I made my way to the aisle, I was greeted by the biggest display of pink and red hearts. Heart-shaped plates, heart-shaped cups, heart-shaped you name it.
Without a doubt it’s that time again. The one day out of the year where girls gush about dinner dates and guys rack their brains as to what to get their girlfriends.
But for a fairly large group of people, it’s the holiday that reminds us that we are alone. Some of us might have thrown ourselves a pity party, while others may have put on a brave front proclaiming, “Who needs Valentine’s Day anyway?”
The problem with the first group of people is that they are blinded by the fact that they do not have a significant other; they wallow in their self-pity at having to spend Valentine’s Day alone. They sit alone questioning their value and putting themselves down.
The second group tends to be the Scrooge of the season and disregards Valentine’s Day as a commercial holiday. These people might be angry because they aren’t spending Valentine’s Day with someone special. Jaded, they proclaim that they don’t need a valentine or give into a Hallmark holiday.
For me, all these feelings have been familiar. I have been both of these two people. I have spent Valentine’s Day drowning my sorrows in pint of Blue Bell’s banana split, curled up on the couch, lamenting being boyfriendless. I have also spent Valentine’s Day by giving it the finger and making fun of those ugly, gigantic red teddy bears my guy friends would give their girlfriends.
For years, I wanted to be going on dates and receiving those hideous-looking bears, but it hasn’t happened. I refuse to let not having a significant other get in the way of enjoying Valentine’s Day. I’m not going to pity myself and I’m not going to be a Scrooge.
Who says Valentine’s Day is only for couples in love? There are more people to love aside from a significant other, and there is always room to love yourself more.
Make funny Valentines for your friends and hide them in strange places. Tell your parents and grandparents you love them by making them dinner or watching a movie. Cheer up a friend who is going through a tough time or smile at a stranger. You can always treat yourself to something nice as well. The possibilities are endless, so be creative.
There is no room to be jealous or angry this Valentine’s Day. Don’t forget the true meaning of this holiday, which is to celebrate love of any kind with anyone and everyone.
Angie Hernandez can be reached at
