Look, I have always been that girl that hated Valentine's day. Like full blown protest, going to lay in bed and watch action comedies all day/night and eat my feelings. This was even an occurrence when I had a boyfriend on Valentine's day. My roommate is the same way and even says that Valentine's Day is a "fake holiday" made up by candy and card companies.

This year was totally different though and not just for me but for her too. It all brought me to the realization that all Valentine's Days before this one, I was unhappy or with someone who made me unhappy or bitter that my mom and dad were my only valentines. After we stopped making those mailboxes and doing arts and crafts in school, Valentine's Day turned into a day I dreaded.

This year, I saw it as something completely different. I saw it as a day to celebrate my love for someone that loved me just as much if not more than I loved him. I was excited to pick out something that was sentimental and special to give him. I spent hours deciding on an outfit for dinner and for a night that he had planned all on his own. It was the first Valentine's day that I was given something from someone who wasn't my Mom or Dad. Now, Valentine's Day isn't about getting something from someone you love but it was such an amazing feeling and experience because he put so much thought into it and made it so special.

My roommate had a similar experience. Her boyfriend is in the Navy, like mine, and he is on leave but is at home with his family and about 6 hours away from her. The weekend before Valentine's day, he came down and they spent the whole weekend together, he got her gifts that a) were something she wanted and b) something that was special to her. I had never seen her so happy and excited for this day.

I also think that this Valentine's day was special for the both of us because, in a few weeks, our boyfriends will be on a new base in a different state and on a submarine, at some point, for some unknown period of time, without much communication for weeks or months at a time. So Valentine's Day was special because almost like our last important time together before they leave.

I can't speak for my roommate (but I know she feels the same), but I am going to be so sad when my boyfriend leaves and even more upset when I won't get to talk to him every day. But with that being said, he has absolutely no idea just how proud I am of him, how much I am going to miss him and how excited I am for him to visit or to visit him.

So, yeah, Valentine's day was special and one that I will never forget but the day itself wasn't what was special. It was the person I got to spend it with.