Tonight I took a little trip to Target with one of my best friends to pick out some Valentine's Day goodies for her long-distance boyfriend (both of whom I adore). I joked about how I had no one to buy me the new Red Velvet flavored Kit Kats and that I needed the "Cupid is Stupid" koozie from the dollar section. As I sat on my couch after returning home, with a playlist quite literally called "sad songs to cry to when you're on your period" filling the background, the realization set in that this is my second Valentine's Day alone since my big break up. I'm left to wonder (for the millionth time): what went wrong in my long-distance relationship? Or with the guy I thought I saw a future with last semester? Or all the other flings in between?

When the calendar shows February 14th, it's easy, as a single lady (or man), to sit on the couch crying at "How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days" with a growing pile of chocolate wrappers to your right. It's easy to wonder where your Ben Barry, Danny Zuko, or Will Hunting is, but the reality is he isn't here!

Yet

Single ladies, let's reclaim Valentine's Day. Let us not scoff at the couple walking down the street holding hands, but smile instead, knowing that we are equally as happy holding our own damn hands until the right person comes along.

I, for one, will take joy in how far I have come since Valentine's Day last year when I was crying to a "Fuck Valentine's Day" playlist, wondering if my ex was really sure that he didn't love me anymore. I will hold my head a little higher knowing that he (& all the others who have hurt me) wont even hold a candle to the right man when he comes along. I will smile, laugh, exercise, and spend time with my other single friends, instead of eating Reece's cups and swiping on Tinder, as if fate has stored my perfect man on a dating app to be revealed on the most romantic day of the year (doubtful). I hope you will choose to do the same. I hope you will choose to rise above the norm, on a day that tells you that you need a partner to be complete.

We will not be bitter.

We will not cry.

We will not key his car.

We will stand strong,

together,

and independent.

This Valentine's Day, we will remember our worth, and we will love ourselves a little extra.