Love Your Friends on V-day Too
As Valentine’s Day quickly approaches, those of us who happen to be single around this time of year are starting to feel the pressure. When the inevitable question of “what are you doing for Valentine’s Day?” comes up, I drop my eyes to the floor, mutter some vague plans of staying in, then quickly change the subject.
But why must Valentine’s Day be a holiday that only a small percentage of the population can enjoy? Is it really necessary to hide away in shame while couples get to bask in piles of teddy bears, chocolates, and overpriced dinners? I say we break this routine and learn to love the day of love!
Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love which comes in more forms than what Rom-Coms show us. If you happen to be single on February 14th, or even if you’re not single, take some time to appreciate the people in your life that make getting up in the morning a little bit easier.
Before you decide to wallow in your singleness, or ditch your friends for a glamorous date night at Applebee’s, think about those who have been with you through thick and thin. I will forever remember the times when I’ve come back to my room ready to lay down on the ground and cry the night away because one guy said or did something wrong. In those moments when all seems hopeless and I’m on my way to calculating just how many cats I’ll need to adopt when I turn 50, my friends will burst into the room and single handedly remind me of how much better off I am without him. They’ll listen to me complain, then we'll download Tinder and swipe until the pain of rejection is dulled by the hilarity of ridiculous pick up lines. Who will listen to you complain about getting left on read for 2 days? Who will watch hours of Love Island with you while wearing charcoal face masks? Who is going to sing Adele with you at the top of your lungs? And who is going to yell at the dude that did you dirty?
Real friends will have your back no matter where you are or what time of day it is. When you come home crying because you failed a test, or because you just got your heart broken, it’s your friends who will be there with a tub of ice cream and a playlist of Sam Smith songs. So, this Valentine’s Day, don’t forget to celebrate your valentines AND your palentines.
If you’re wondering how you can show your people some appreciation, think about things as simple as making them cute cards filled with all the things you love about them. Or, buy them their favorite candy and throw in a DIY face mask while you’re at it! If you feel like spending a little bit of money, getting them a bouquet of flowers can go a long way in making them feel special. If you know they love Chick-Fil-A chicken biscuits, Boba Tea, or Starbucks, buy them something to start the day off right. For those who appreciate something more sentimental, try printing out pictures of your best memories together and making a scrapbook out of construction paper and cute stickers. For someone with simpler tastes, baking a pan of brownies and cutting them out into hearts would be a tasty and thoughtful treat.
If you dread the long February 14th night, gather a group of your besties and make a whole day of it. There’s nothing like a good ol’ girls’ night to boost your spirits. Grab a few face masks, some popcorn and chocolate, throw on a season of Love Island and binge all 45 episodes until a British accent comes naturally to you. Or dress up in your hottest outfits and hit the town- there’s nothing better than dancing the night away with your closest friends and making complete fools of yourselves. There are hundreds of ways to show that you care even if it’s as simple as dedicating a night to your friends and giving them your undivided attention.
Life is too short to waste it mourning your lack of boyfriends/girlfriends. We have many years ahead of us to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a significant other, so don’t take this one for granted because it might be your last chance to celebrate it with friends who are often around much longer than any boyfriend or girlfriend.