Surviving Valentine's Day

It's February!  Good things that I suspect will happen this month:  every one of my students' parents will show up for parent/teacher conferences, I'll have a productive appointment with my internal medicine doctor to make me healthy again, and my anonymous snow-shoveling friends will keep up the good work.  Oh... and Valentine's Day is happening.


Not to talk myself up or anything, but I'm pretty much an expert at spending Valentine's Day alone.  Come to think of it... I don't know that there was ever a Valentine's Day where I had an official "valentine."  Not unless you count elementary school when everyone was required to bring valentines for the class.  Yep.  Take it from a girl who hasn't had any suitors since 2008-- you, too, can survive and thrive "alone" on Valentine's Day.  (No hoarding or unreasonable purchase of cats necessary.)  Here's what to do/remember:

• Watch this link.  It explains life:  All the good ones are taken.
• It's just one day.  One day out of 365.25 a year.  Love doesn't limit itself to just 24 hours or just one set of experiences.  Who's to say that March 14 or April 14 can't be just as special as February 14?  Every day has the potential to be a special day.
• Don't be bitter toward those who have a valentine with whom to spend the day.  Whether looking up or looking down on others to judge them-- both situations are wrong.  Don't criticize those who, in their loving relationships, make a big deal about Valentine's Day.  I hope that my friends and family have a blast sharing the day with their significant others.  When others are happily celebrating, it doesn't mean that my reservoir of happiness suddenly becomes depleted.  Joy isn't a competition-- be happy that someone else is happy.
• For the realists who can't stand the sappy sentiment:  Feel sorry for the high percentage of couples celebrating who will probably break up and/or divorce before the year is over.
• Depression is a sign of selfishness.  Stop being selfish.  I'm not talking clinical depression.  That's something else entirely (and not selfish at all).  However, becoming easily irritated, moody, and overly emotional because of a holiday-- that's selfish.  If you must, throw a tantrum, and then get over yourself.  Think of someone else.  Chances are, there are dozens of people you know who would appreciate a call or a visit on Valentine's Day.  Maybe there's your grandmother who's missing your deceased grandfather?  And what mother wouldn't like to receive a call from a child saying, "Happy Valentine's Day, Mom.  I love you."  I bet she'd like that better than whatever bouquet Dad is going to bring home.
• Take yourself to dinner and a movie.  Be your own valentine.  Why rely on outside sources to validate your importance?  Love yourself enough to celebrate-- not because it's a holiday, but because you genuinely believe that you are important.  You are important, so act like it.
• If dinner and a movie is a bit out of budget, make it a night in.  Treat yourself to a night of your favorite movies, TV shows, and/or videogames.  Since Valentine's Day is on a Friday this year, you won't even have to keep an eye on the clock.  The day will be over before you know it.  (I also recommend eating your own weight in Valentine's candy... assuming your body can take it.)
• Adopt a pet.  Ok, ok-- I know I mentioned above that no unnecessary purchase of pets was necessary.  If you're afraid of becoming the crazy-cat lady, then disregard this suggestion.  However, I've gotta admit that my pets have put into perspective what it means to truly care for someone else.  For some (**cough**hack**Mom**), pets = bacteria and carpet stains.  For me, pets = unconditional love.  What better way to express the love in your heart than to save a life?
• Put it in perspective.  Having someone to love, and someone to love you, is a powerful thing.  I don't imagine there are too many people who hope to be alone forever and ever.  We tend to put our relationships on a pedestal for a reason, after all.  (Wait one sec.  I've gotta get on my soap-box here.)  I don't think a loving God would plan for any of us to be eternally alone.  The unfortunate statistics are that, yes, some of us may have to spend our entire mortal lives without ever finding a special someone with whom to spend that life.  But, that's ok.  In comparison with eternity, a lifetime really isn't so long-- just a blip on infinity.  Call me crazy, but if love is what gives us great happiness in life, I doubt that Heavenly Father will suddenly choose to have us live without it.  He promises that every person who follows Him diligently will receive every deserved reward.  That reward includes love, a very special someone with whom to share eternity.  Whether in this life or the next, it's a promise.  So enjoy the phase of life which you're in, because all good things are promised to those who are obedient.