Valentine’s Day for Mere Mortals: Singles

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Valentine’s Day. Also commonly known as ‘Singles’ Awareness Day’ or ‘I’m The Biggest Loser Ever’ Day. Or maybe even ‘Why The Heck Am I The Only One Without A Boyfriend?’ Day.

But it wasn’t always that way. Lots of people remember how exciting it was back in elementary school when moms would take kids to the store to pick out Valentine’s Day cards and candy to put in envelopes. Children would hand address each card, saving the best ones for close friends and hopeless grade school crushes.

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Valentine's Day is not just a holiday for couples, many singles find enjoyment spending time with friends and serving others.
Ahh, the beauty of young love.

Valentine’s Day used to be so much fun. Thanks to free candy from classmates and the treats teachers brought, it was almost as good as Halloween. So what happened? At what point did Valentine’s Day become a dreaded day for singles everywhere instead of an awesome opportunity to spread some love?

According to Emily Smith, 19, a sophomore from Booneville, Miss., Valentine’s Day isn’t about a significant other and shouldn’t be limited to romantic love.

“I believe Valentine’s Day is not just about romantic love,” she said. “It’s about every kind of love … It’s about family love, friendship love, roommate love.”

In 2011, Kylie Hood, 20, a junior from Collegeville, Pa., broke up with her boyfriend right before Valentine’s Day. Instead of feeling depressed and sorry for herself, she said she and her roommates, who were also single, celebrated their friendship and still managed to have fun.

“My roommates and I went to the store and bought every single food that sounded good,” she said. “Then we went home and ate a ton and watched four scary movies in a row, and it was actually really fun.”

Hood’s advice to singles on Valentine’s Day is cherish the time you have with your friends and to be supportive of those around you.

“You can still have fun with your friends,” she said. “It’s nice to support each other and spend time together. Don’t get so worked up just because you don’t have a boyfriend or a girlfriend.”

Perrin Gerber, 22, a sophomore from West Point, N.Y.,  said Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to think selflessly and to serve others.

“My advice for single people on Valentine’s Day is to have a positive attitude,” he said. “Don’t focus so much on yourself. Try and make someone else’s day!”

Gerber said his best Valentine’s Day memory was when he brought flowers to a friend who had just gotten out of the hospital. On his way there, he and his brother got pulled over by a policeman and got a speeding ticket. But his act of service helped put things into perspective.

[pullquote]”Don’t focus so much on yourself. Try and make someone else’s day!”[/pullquote]

“What made it fun was making someone’s day who wasn’t having a great time,” he said.

Mark Brown, 21, a sophomore from Orem, said his favorite thing to do on Valentine’s Day is to buy a package of Valentine’s cards, just like in elementary school, and deliver them to women he thinks are cute as well as his friends.

“It’s kind of fun and lets everyone know I’m thinking about them,” he said. “This year, I got some pretty sweet Dr. Seuss cards.”

According to Smith, what’s important to remember on Valentine’s Day is to not be upset or bitter at the people who do have significant others.

[pullquote]”Don’t hate Valentine’s Day just because you’re single,”[/pullquote]

“Don’t hate Valentine’s Day just because you’re single,”she said. “I think we all get tired of those people on Facebook who are like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s Valentine’s Day, I’m so sick of all the couples.’ Get over it. You can make it fun — just don’t be bitter about it.”

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