A Single Girl’s Valentine’s Day

I’m just going to throw this out there:

I haven’t had a boyfriend on Valentine’s Day since I was fifteen. It was chock-full of adolescent cliches– roses, pearl earrings, homemade cards…all those things that happen on TV and in movies happened to my tiny, naive, unappreciative sophomore self. I’ve had other boyfriends, but they always seem to ironically end or begin almost perfectly in order to stay out of sync with Valentine’s Day. Super.

You mean being showered with love and affection doesn’t happen every year?!

And though one could assume my February 14ths have been downhill from there since I’ve been flying solo, I’m happy to announce that I’ve mastered the art of the sensational Single Girl’s Valentine’s Day. Watch and learn.

1. Stay the heck away from The Notebook. Why do some people insist on adding insult to injury by drowning their lack-of-man-sorrows in a painfully beautiful display of what you might be pining for? Don’t watch something you know will make you sad, and even though it may be tempting, don’t invite two pints of Ben and Jerry to watch with you. Sugar comas will not make you any less lonely.

2. Get your glitter glue out and show some love. Everyone loves nice gestures and Valentine’s Day is just about consumerism anyway. There are no rules about what it’s all about, so I take the opportunity to buy my best (PLATONIC) friends chocolates and cards and show them the love they deserve every day of the year. Remember those little Batman and Barbie Valentines we loved circa 3rd grade? Simple, friendly Valentines are equally appreciated at age 19 as they are at age 8.

3. Revel in the freedom of your lack of commitment. Blast some “Independent Woman,” watch some Sex and the City and flirt unapologetically with every boy worthy of your flirting. You don’t have to stress about what kind of gift to buy a boyfriend — spend the money on yourself! Mani/pedi, anyone?

Moral of the story: Don’t spend one minute of February 14th being bummed, all you single ladies. When we have guys, we complain about how dumb they can be– let’s take this opportunity to revel in our freedom and have a great day filled with chocolate, champagne, amazing friends and absolutely no commitments!