I have always loved Valentine’s Day. Maybe it’s my obsession with hearts, love songs or those Sweetheart candies, but ultimately I love that we have a day to celebrate the love that is all around us. Have I ever had a ‘Valentine’ for the occasion? Well, no. Then, why do I like the holiday so much?
For starters, I love the sweet gesture of getting and giving cards to let someone know how you feel about them. My favorite color is also red and I love being able to wear anything festive for an occasion. I’ve also found that Valentine’s Day is a holiday where you never have the same one twice. Each year has been an opportunity to spend it with someone new. Over the years, I’ve spent Feb.14 with my parents, my extended family, my closest friends or even classmates in elementary school.
One year, when I was a junior in high school, most of my family was visiting to be with my grandma, since she had been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. We all spent the evening together; ate dinner, then stayed with her for a few hours in the hospital, trying to make light of the situation. We were all together, laughing and joking, even in the midst of a crappy situation and that was what mattered. Looking back, that’s one of my favorite memories and favorite Valentine’s Day.
Other times, I’ve crashed my parents’ dinner plans, since I’m an only child. Sometimes I’d have date night with my cousin, and we’d go to the movies and grab a bite to eat. More recently, I invited my best friend over
If you ask me, being in a relationship or feeling the pressure of having to be in one is extremely overrated. I get that couples should be celebrated – If you’re in one, great! If you’re not, that’s great, too. As the great philosopher Taylor Swift has said, “You can have love all around you without being in love, and find romance in your everyday life without being in a romantic relationship.”
So, this year, I choose to celebrate Galentine’s Day. I’m celebrating with my best gal pals. There are a couple ways you can do this!
Girl’s Night In
If you feel like doing things the laid-back way, invite your closest friends over or meet at someone else’s house for the evening. Have everyone bring something for a potluck style meal or cook it from scratch, like heart-shaped pasta or heart-shaped pizza to stick with the theme. You can even bake treats to snack on while you watch that list of chick flicks. Some of my favorite films include, “Sweet Home Alabama,” “13 Going on 30,” “A Walk To Remember” and “Titanic.” You can always crank up the tunes and have a dance party to songs like Whitney Houston’s “Dance with Somebody.” If you’re stuck on where to start with party planning, Pinterest will have you scrolling for days with ideas for decorations, food and everything in between.
Girl’s Night Out
Who needs a guy to go out on the town? Get your girlfriends together, get dolled up and eat at your favorite restaurant. While the night is still young, check out a local band or go out for a fancy dessert. Take too many selfies, eat until you’re too full to move and laugh until you’re near tears.
I might be single, but I’m not bitter towards the holiday. One of these years, I will have a Valentine to spend every day with, not just Valentine’s Day, but until then, I will celebrate with those I am closest to. Love should be celebrated in all variations on Feb. 14. So, don’t take it so seriously and celebrate with whoever you want.
