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Finding Meaning In Single Awareness Day
A few years ago, I was convinced that Valentines Day had been created to torture single people. As February 14th approached, the TV and Radio ads got worse and worse. When Valentines Day arrived, I had the pleasure of watching the flower bouquets float past my office on their way to everyone else. The next day was full of exciting stories of romantic gifts and dinners that my coworkers had experienced the night before.
A few years ago, I was convinced that Valentines Day had been created to torture single people. As February 14th approached, the TV and Radio ads got worse and worse. When Valentines Day arrived, I had the pleasure of watching the flower bouquets float past my office on their way to everyone else. The next day was full of exciting stories of romantic gifts and dinners that my coworkers had experienced the night before.
Valentines Day, also known as Single Awareness Day, was the pits. That is until I realized that Valentines Day was about love, not all about me. I’ll never forget Valentines Day 2001. I woke up to suffer through another Single Awareness Day. However, when I opened my eyes, I was shocked to see construction paper hearts of every color and size covering my room. Each of them had a fun saying or positive remark about me on it. The biggest one said, “You’ve been heart attacked! Happy Valentines Day! Love Christie.”
Christie was my roommate, and the only person that I knew that was more single than I was! Yet, she had decided to make Valentine’s Day special by sharing it with other people that she loved. That simple gesture changed my Valentines Days forever. Each time since then, Valentines Day has been a time to celebrate the love I do have in my life in whatever form it exists.
When I started doing this, I realized something else: not everyone that was coupled up enjoyed Valentines Day either! For many, it seemed to be a sad reminder that they were in a relationship that was not fulfilling. You see, people often see Valentines Day as a day that symbolizes your love for each other. It is so hard to fake it.
For example, I once had a boss who had been married longer than I had been alive, and had nothing good to say about it. Valentines Day was especially irritating for him, as he’d have to go buy her something or take her out to dinner. It’s hard to imagine marriage can become that difficult, but it is a reality for many. I watched my parents handle Valentines very differently. They often kept things low key, as they felt like each day was special in their marriage, and Valentine’s Day was just one of the 365 days each year that they enjoyed the love they shared with each other.
What are some things you can do to make this the best Valentines Day ever? First, recognize the love you have in your life and find ways to show those special people how much they mean to you. Second, take the time to do what it takes to make your next relationship an incredible one. It is totally up to you whether you end up like my boss or like my parents. So stop moping and start discovering, start enjoying your life for what it is and preparing for the happy relationship you deserve.