Dear Single Girls,

If you did not have a valentine this past Valentine's Day, I hope you were not crying in your bed with a tub of ice cream because let's be honest—that is just sad. Instead, I hope you were enjoying not having the struggle of finding a good gift or even enjoyed a nice bottle of wine and some pizza to yourself (or even with your girls).

Personally, I think being single is a great opportunity to do things for no one but yourself. If you are not happy being single, you will never be happy in a relationship. You must first be able to do things on your own and love yourself, before you are able to share your love with someone else (at least that is what I have come to believe).

I did things a bit backwards. I was in a long relationship for four and a half years and then experienced the single life after the relationship ended. Although I learned a lot while I was in that relationship, I have learned more about myself while being single.

I do not see my choice of being single as a status, but instead a word. A word that means you are strong enough to enjoy life without depending on anyone else but yourself. I think that is such a beautiful thing.

While being single, I have learned to be more independent. No one but myself is in charge. I do not have to worry aboutt my decisions affecting anyone but me. The ball is in my hands and I control how it can be played. Being more independent has allowed me to make more decisions on my own. Being single has even allowed me to bring out my inner leadership that was hiding while I was in a relationship.

I have learned to truly love myself for the person I have become. I am a free-spirited outgoing, kind-hearted girl, and I could not be any more proud of that. Being single, has allowed me to see that it is perfectly acceptable to laugh at myself and not let anything or even anyone make me feel embarrassed. I have learned it is OK to laugh out loud alone. It may sound crazy, but I think it is a good feeling not having to depend on someone else to make you happy.

I have learned that it is OK to be single and that it is not the end of the world. No relationship means no problem, that is how I think of it at least.

Oftentimes, it seems as though girls, especially college girls, are too busy trying to find "the right guy" because they fear being alone after college. In all honesty, the "right" guy is probably currently shotgunning a beer or maybe even doing a keg stand at a party.

I have learned that although I may come across some really great guys in college, the majority of them do not want to be in a relationship. Why? Guys just want to enjoy their college days doing crazy things, as a single guy. I do not blame them. Not to say girls should go crazy, but we should just enjoy life as a single girl and do as we want just as most guys do, and there is nothing wrong with that. Not to say that to be single means you are lonely; there are plenty of guys out there that will give you that love and care you need without the relationship status.

Being a single college girl means more chances for us girls to go out and get invited places. Although that is a great perk, that is not the main reason why I enjoy being single. Being single means an opportunity to fall in love with yourself. Once you have fallen in love with yourself, you can then know exactly what it is you want in someone else. You will be able to gain an understanding of how you should be treated. In being a single college girl, I have learned what to tolerate and what not to tolerate from guys. I am in no way a love guru; I am still in the process of loving myself, which means I have yet to figure what it is that I want in someone. I do know, though, that through my experiences, the majority of my college days, I have been single and I couldn't see it any other way or be more happy with the fact.

Everyone older then me always informs me how their best memories were while they were in college. If that is the case, why should we (college girls) waste our time trying to get babed up. Instead, we should only be worrying about having fun. We should take some of the best times of our lives and use the opportunity to explore ourselves even more. We should use the time going on adventures and building bonds with friends that will last a lifetime. Some of my best college memories thus far have not involved any guys but instead my girlfriends, who I know will be there way past any guy that may walk into my life. And hello! A night out with your girls is the best and will always mean a good time.

This letter is for all of my college's single ladies. Enjoy it. Do not even stress trying to get into a relationship at the moment. If it's meant to happen, it will, I promise you. Being single does not mean that you know nothing about love—it just means that you have the patience to wait for it. Being single isn't a time to look for love, but instead to look for yourself and to be able to grow as an individual. A friend once shared these words with me: "You have plenty of time to find someone to fall in love with. In the meantime, please fall in love with the beauty of life, and fall in love with all of the people in your life, and fall in love with yourself. Because if you don't have all this first, you will have nothing. It's a beautiful world out there—live it in every way possible."

Sincerely yours,

A proud single college girl