Another holiday to increase sales of chocolate and jewelry; another day of the year for every girl to post a collage of her relationship; and another day for single girls to tweet about how they will be binge-watching gossip girl and eating ice cream all night. Here is why I have a love-hate relationship with Valentine's Day.
1. Candy
Who doesn't love a Reese's peanut butter cup shaped like a heart? Candy can be your best friend during Valentine's day (or really any time of the year). I have no shame checking out at Walmart with 20 Valentine's Reese's peanut butter cup hearts. Although I said I was going to go to the gym this quarter, I think I will just sneak into my room and continue to eat the chocolate.
2. Big Teddy Bears
They are so big and fluffy — who wouldn't want one? Every girl will say that this is an ultimate #relationshipgoal: to get a big teddy bear for Valentine’s day. It's pretty dang adorable watching the boy in the Target checkout line with a big ol’ bear. Secretly we are jealous and just sitting here refreshing our Instagram news feeds every five seconds, waiting on their girlfriends to post a picture.
3. Love… what is that?
A four letter word that is brought out the most in February, and that makes some girls hearts explode and some girls want to vomit. Many times we think “love” is only between a girl and boy. I am here to tell you there are lots of things to love in life. I love my dad. I love my phone. I love Starbucks. I love Chipotle.
4. Pink
What a beautiful color it is — until you see it in the form of a heart on every storefront and restaurant you walk by in town. Starbucks comes out with the cute reusable heart cup; Target decides to make dazzling displays with everything they offer in pink; and Barnes & Noble has romantic displays of love novels and greeting cards. There’s no escaping the pink bubble that forms the day after Christmas and doesn't go away until March.
5. Wait, I'm supposed to have a boy for this day?
Valentine’s day isn't just for relationships. I can totally eat Reese's hearts, order pizza and watch Netflix all night and be just as happy. Don’t let “another half” be the focus of this Valentine's day. One day there will be a boy to celebrate Valentine’s day with for the rest of my life; for now, I think I will just stick to cookie dough.
If you're spending Valentine’s Day alone, remember that another piece of chocolate is always the right decision, Netflix always has another movie you can watch, and friends are the best company. Every Valentine’s Day I want to challenge you to be you and to do what you love to do! Start your day off by treating yourself and end it with what makes you happy.
Love always,
The girl who will be face-timing her parents, eating Reese’s hearts, cookie dough and Chipotle while on RA duty this Valentine’s Day.