You’re hundreds of miles away from home and your entire Instagram feed is filled with happy couples, new and old celebrating Valentine’s Day. You get hit with the realization that for the very first time in years you’re celebrating today alone. After years of celebrating with a boyfriend, you think that there’s no one to wish a happy valentine’s day to. No flowers, chocolate or a cute Instagram to post. But you’re alone with your thoughts and the memories of years past.
I’ve come to the common thought that you don’t need a boyfriend or even a boy to celebrate the holiday with. I was asked today in class why I was so dressed up, which I replied, “Because it’s Valentine’s Day, why not?” Then I was asked if it was because of a date tonight, for which I replied, “Yes, myself.”
You would think that having a Valentine every year of high school would cause my first Valentine’s Day in college to be a bad one. Valentine’s Day is a day of love, support and showing someone you care. Not just for a romantic relationship but a platonic as well. Make this the year that you put yourself first. The love you give yourself will always be much stronger than the love you can have from someone else.
I was honestly petrified during the months leading up to today. I thought I would be crying and probably eating everything I saw. But then I woke up today… happy. Happy to see another day, happy to see my friends, to talk to my family and just remember. Remember all of the love that I have gotten over the years and just to think about the love I will get in the future.
You can get through this day, and every day after. I know this because a few months ago I would say the complete opposite. That there was no possible way to get through each day and there was no reason to even go on. But I learned that there is so much more to life than relationships and high expectations.
We are important no matter what anyone else says and that’s my message to all of the girls and boys who are celebrating their first Valentine’s Day alone or just celebrating Valentine’s Day in general. You are important, you matter, use this day to cherish your friends, your family and especially yourself. It’s another day that you can breathe and enjoy life. Don’t waste it.
