It's that time of the year again. The aisles are filling up with heart shaped boxes and teddy bears the size of a car. Valentine's Day gets a bad rap more often than not and I'm sick of it. "Single's Awareness Day" and "A Hallmark Holiday" need to end. Valentine's Day is my absolute favorite holiday and I have not had a significant other to share it with for 18 of my 21 years. I am approaching a holiday where two of my best friends have boyfriends to share it with and I have no plans (except for a presentation practice session with my professor), yet I remain optimistic.

When I was younger, my mom would go all out for Valentine's Day because she loved me and it was a day to celebrate all love, not just romantic love. She would give me treats and presents (we actually got our puppy one year) and we topped off the day by eating a heart shaped pizza as a family. One year, I even threw a killer Valentine's themed party for my elementary friends. I also got to observe my parents' tradition with each other, furthering my dream of one day having what they had. They always exchanged simple, but meaningful cards and I always watched them beaming at each other as they read them (except for that one time when my dad's card said that my mom was "just his typo" and she took it the wrong way). I loved that joyous day in school when you got to meticulously decorate a brown paper bag and overthink which generic puppy card you would give to the cutest boy in class. Then, we all got home and over analyze what "you're so cool" meant from the boy who you sat next to in math while stuffing your face with conversation hearts.

I've been reading a lot about love lately, as I have found myself not loving people the way that I want to while recovering from a confusing bout with romance. What I've learned thus far is that love comes in all shapes and sizes. Coming into a conversation with a positive outlook is a way to love someone. Listening, giving your time, and encouraging are ways to love someone. Who wouldn't want a day dedicated to the idea of all of that?

Yes, I know that you can love someone every day and that you don't need a holiday and gifts to let them know that. But why shouldn't you enjoy a day of chocolate, flowers, and expressing your feelings towards the ones who you love? Is there anything so wrong with that? Maybe you don't have significant other, but it's more than okay to send a card to your mom, your best friend, or someone who has loved you well. (I also guarantee that your mom will appreciate it.) It's also a day to thank the people who teach you more about love than you can imagine, like your mom and dad, brother and sister-in-law, or your best friend and her "boo thang." I know that they are the relationships that give me both hope and something to look forward to.

All that I'm saying is to give Valentine's Day a chance this year. There is no reason to be cynical about a day when love is abounding and you can eat a heart shaped pizza in your pajamas while watching chick flicks (guess what I'm doing).