Valentine's Day—a day for single people to mourn, and couples to rub their happiness in everybody's faces. Right? Wrong. As a person who has only spent one Valentine's Day coupled, I've never seen it this way. I have always loved Valentine's Day. Sure, there have been plenty of times over the years when I really wanted a special someone to spend the day with, but honestly, Valentine's Day has never made me sad. I've never looked at all the Valentine's merchandise in Walmart and said, "Ugh, what a consumerist holiday!" like I've heard others say. No. I've always enjoyed seeing the pink and the red and the treats and the stuffed animals that line the aisles during the weeks proceeding Valentine's Day.

"How did you get to be so positive about this dratted lovers' holiday?" I hear you ask me behind your computer screen. Well, I've never felt that you need to be in a relationship to enjoy a day dedicated to love. Why not get your friends' Valentine's? We all did it in middle school (and if your school didn't have Valentine's class parties where everyone brought a Valentine for everyone, I feel quite sorry for you). In my freshman year of college, my friends Kim, Mariesha, and I declared that we would be each other's Valentine's, and we exchanged chocolates, stuffed animals, and "love letters." It was just as fun as exchanging gifts with a boyfriend the next year, if I'm being honest. We took the cutest picture together, and I believe our platonic Valentine's were just as valid as any romantic Valentine's.

My love affair with Valentine's Day began when I was a little kid, and every Valentine's Day, my beloved aunt Jenny would bring my sister and me chocolates. At the time, I was a rather picky eater, so I didn't enjoy them all like I do now, but I did pick out and enjoy my favorites. Since my aunt got my started on Valentine's chocolates, they have been a staple in my life nearly every February. My favorite brand of chocolate box to buy is Elmer Chocolate, which happens to be the cheapest. $3 for 17 chocolates. I'm serious. And don't worry, the company doesn't have anything to do with the glue brand, so they won't stick to your teeth.Besides loving the chocolates and the classroom Valentine's that I actually still buy sometimes, I just love the general spirit of Valentine's Day. I guess I'm a romantic. I love that there is a day dedicated to mushy gushy love. I might pretend to gag at the sight of happy couples, but in all honesty, I'm really happy for the people who have found someone to truly love and be adorably disgusting with. Additionally, I'm happy for me. I'm happy that I'm able to spend the day with friends who love me in a way that is entirely platonic, but just as important as romantic love.

If you're single this Valentine's Day, don't be sad about it. Instead, enjoy the cheap chocolate, and buy yourself a bouquet of roses on sale on February 15th. You deserve it.