I always have and always will love Valentine's Day. When I was little, my father would always buy me chocolates, flowers, and a little stuffed bear. I never really understood the hatred and the seemingly pervasive sentiment of heartbreak around Valentine's Day... that is until this year when I noticed friends and family all heartbroken around the most romantic time of the year.

There are a number of things a person can do to make this awful day, much better:

1) Keep the talk about your significant other limited.

I understand the temptation, but heartbreak is hard enough without thinking about how happy others are. This Valentine's Day, the plan is to keep the love of your significant other and yourself on the down low.

2) Galentine's Day

If you have single friends, this idea is perfect. Made popular by Parks and Recreation, Galentine's Day celebrate such wonderful friendships you have. I'm not sure if guys would actually want to do this, but I'm sure they could. Call it "Palentine's Day"? Probably not.

3) Social Media is everywhere.

Sometimes you have that friend that likes to torture themselves. Try to keep your newly single friends off of Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and whatever other social media they use to stalk their ex. Remind them that it's hard, but it's for the best.

4) Buying gifts does NOT have to show you're interested romantically.

This goes along with Galentine's Day, but it doesn't have to be a major gift specified for the day. Buy your friend a cup of coffee because they worked hard. Buy your mother flowers because she's important to you. Don't do this because it's Valentine's Day, do it because you appreciate them.

5) Take them out.

This does NOT mean to take them outside and let them stand there to do nothing. Go dance with your friend; get them to have fun and take their mind off of the break up. If your friend gets hit on, strategically guide them away from this situation. They will always deserve better than some random person.

6) Reassure their self confidence.

Every break-up leaves a person shattered. Crying will happen, questioning themselves tends to be next. Remind them how amazing they are, because they are. They are worth every little bit of effort needed to make them smile.

7) Listen to them.

Break-ups are hard. It is just that simple. No matter what happens, they are difficult to deal with. If your friend wants to cry, watch Bob's Burgers on Netflix and eat an entire tub of ice cream with you: do it. Your friend knows what will make them feel better, and if it's just spending a day doing nothing, that's okay.

Remeber: what's most important about this holiday is to show those around you that you love them. Send flowers, buy teddy bears, give chocolate. Those you love deserve it, and deserve to be reminded about how much they are loved.