The big day is almost upon us!

No, not a birthday or a wedding, silly! I'm talking about Vaaalentine's Dayyy. *insert heart eye emoji here*

In my experience, a vast majority of people of all ages absolutely despise this holiday. (And not everyone who likes it is in a relationship either, I might add!) Single people don't like it because they don't have someone to shower in gifts. Couples don't like it because they have to buy gifts. And even when you're in elementary school and you have to give everyone their own valentine, you always ended up heartbroken somehow anyway.

But why? I just don't get it!

I was that heartbroken elementary schooler. I was the girl who never had a boyfriend on February 14th. And somehow, I still ended up absolutely loving the holiday!

You can argue that it's only for couples. You can argue that it's a holiday created to promote a consumer capitalist agenda. You can even argue that Cupid doesn't exist (I'm not going to comment on this last one because I love me some Cupid, but...) The fact of the matter is that Valentine's Day isn't about any of these things - it's about LOVE.

Love isn't restricted to a boyfriend or girlfriend. Love is actually all around us (points if you got this movie reference).

I have always used that day to make sure that the people closest to me know exactly how much they mean to me. My family, my friends, even my pets. There's so much pressure from society to find your future husband or wife as soon as humanly possible and that failing to do so somehow makes you not a full human being. NEWSFLASH: Not everyone wants that, and even the people that do should be marrying someone they LOVE, not someone who fulfills are certain criteria of their life.

So for 19 years, I focused on the love. I love my parents and friends all the time, but we as humans don't always remember to show that. But every year I would make damn sure that all the special people in my life knew how special they truly were.

Last year was the first year I had ever woken up on February 14th with anything remotely resembling a significant other. And at exactly midnight on the 13th, the guy who would become my boyfriend asked if I would be his valentine.

And now I've probably lost most of you. ("Of course you love Valentine's Day! You're in a relationship!") Wrong again, people!

I love Valentine's Day because I love love. I never tried to get a boyfriend so I wouldn't be alone for the day. I never faked it. And when the right person to be my valentine came along, I knew it. But if he hadn't, I would have been fineeeeee! I still would have gone out with my friends. I still would have put a flower in my hair and put red lipstick on and had the best night ever. I still would have loved that day. Because the people I love the most, made it worth it - like they do every day, but loud and proud on Valentine's Day.

So this year, love love with me. And have the best day of love ever.