Another year, another Valentine's Day.

It's not that I don't like the holiday- I love seeing sappy posts about people's significant others because I love seeing people so happy and in love. But when you're a newly single college freshman hours away from home, going to school and being far away from any of your hometown friends and amazing family, Valentine's Day is dreadful.

But with the passing weeks, my bonds with my college friends have become increasingly stronger. My college friends are quickly becoming my best friends, and in the short time we've been bonding it seems as though we have been friends all our lives. We joke, we laugh, we poke fun at one another being sure to emphasize our specialty of sarcasm, and all-the-while we support each other in everything we do and everything we aspire to be. We are all studying to be elementary school teachers, which only helps to strengthen our bond - we can be there to help carry each other through not only our college experience, but our careers; and that's something that we will be forever grateful.

Anyway, as the weeks have passed and months of us enjoying nearly every class together, we decided to designate every Tuesday a Girl's Night (we typically go to the movies, although we will stray from the movie theme if such an even occurs where the movies in theaters are uninteresting to us, in which we will likely substitute for bowling, as will be the case this Tuesday). We started this as an aid to the relief of daily stress we were receiving, the idea of going out with the girls to get our minds of things and just have fun was enticing; and quite quickly Tuesdays became our favorite days. We get out of class at 6, all pile into one car with our overwhelmingly large backpacks in tow, turn on some jams from the early 2000s, and head to our first destination of dinner; after which we make the short drive to the theater, where we select a movie (horror has been a top choice in the passing weeks) and watch with bemusement; having the best times and making the best memories.

But with last Tuesday being Valentine's Day, we knew a change of plans were in order. One of the girls has a long-time boyfriend, so a romantic date night was inevitable between the two, the other has a complicated situation that could've put her on a date as well, so I expected to spend it alone in my room; more than likely reading a novel. Not that I was complaining, I was beyond happy for them (and I still am), plus, I love to read. But as the day approached, my friend's were sure to include me in their plans; they wanted me to be a part of the day and help me have a great holiday, especially after going through a tiring break-up and an even more tiring last few weeks. So Cassie and I decided to dress nice and eat somewhere fancier than most Girl's Nights, so we went to our mutually favorite place, one that is our go to for fancy meals and celebrations - a steakhouse. Catherine went to dinner with her boyfriend, providing them with a nice meal and a chance to enjoy the holiday without her friends.

We met up at the movie theater that night, being sure to save seats for one another and land the best seats in the house. We watched the movie in mostly silence, laughing amongst ourselves occasionally and me making comments comparing the movie on screen to the book (yes, that night I was that person, lol). Once it was over, we made Catherine's boyfriend take our weekly Girl's Night picture; and then he had the bright idea of going to Starbucks. Given, it was nearly 11 pm and a Tuesday, we decided to go anyway. Why not, right?

We treated ourselves to some caffeinated drinks, and hung out for another half hour before we decided to go our separate ways in order to conquer the next morning/day with ease. It was upon my arrival back in my dorm, as I was laying in my bed sipping the last of what was left of my Frappuccino, that I took time to reflect on the day. I had just had one of the best nights of my life. I hadn't laughed so hard in months. I hadn't provided myself the simple luxury of even coffee while I've been here this semester, and it reminded me to treat myself every now and again.

Even though my Valentine's Day wasn't spent wrapped in red roses and showered with expensive gifts and over priced meals, it was full of chocolate, gifts (like teddy bears and teaching stamps), and love - which is all anyone could ever really ask for, and it proves that you don't need a relationship to be happy on Valentine's Day.

Thank you to everyone who made my day special to me.