365 days of LOVE

Confession: I have never had a significant other on Valentine’s Day.

You heard right. The male sex and I do not connect well on the day of February 14th. Because of this, I’ve literally experienced every kind of Valentine’s Day imaginable. I’ve watched sappy love movies where one of the main characters dies at the end, and sobbed loudly all night long. I’ve had an anti-Valentine’s Day movement where I pretended it wasn’t a “special” day for lovebirds. I’ve had “single ladies” days where my single friends and I bought ice cream and made special toasts to our freedom. Yes I have experienced every emotion teenage angst could give me on this romantic day - cynicism, bitterness, and sadness. This year it is quite different. I’m at such a different place in my life that sadness does not even have a slim chance of creeping in.

This “Singles Appreciation Day,” I’m turning over a new leaf. Here’s the thing - I’m not cynical. I believe in love more than I believe in anything else. I absolutely love flowers, candies, gifts, fancy dinners with candles, and pink and red hearts. So that whole façade I have going on about Valentine’s Day being too commercial – I love that stuff! The problem I do have with Valentine’s Day is that it is ONLY one day of the year. Think about it. Our calendar sets aside one day out of 365 to love one another. Doesn’t that seem odd? What are we suppose to be doing the other 364?

L had this quote from Ashton Kutcher in her Facebook status the other night, and I really think it says exactly what I want to say to all of you.

"I think every day should be a day of romance. Then, on Valentine's Day, you should get to tell whoever you hate that you cannot stand them. There would be one day of hating, and 364 days of love."

Well said Ashton. But instead of hating anyone today (let’s face it, there is way too much hate in this world) I’m dedicating my Valentine’s Day, and hopefully every day after, to appreciating the people I love and those who love me back.

- All my friends out there who love me unconditionally. I’m celebrating my Valentine’s Day with you. I seriously have the greatest friends a girl could have. I’m very blessed.

- My best friend M is celebrating Valentine’s Day without her Boo today. This is actually a touchy subject since I convinced her to stay home instead of visiting him. I was supposed to be in Jersey this weekend. Guess who is sitting in her room in Columbus at the moment? I’m SO sorry M! The good news is today and every day she gets to be my Valentine. No one has been a better friend to me in my life. No one has stood by my side through thick and thin, and today I’m thanking you for being that person I can count on.

- My life revolves around my family. They are so important to me and keep pushing me everyday to realize my dreams. Today and everyday my love goes out to them as well.

- My love goes out to all the people hurting around the world. To the people of Haiti who are still trying to come to terms with the devastation the earthquake left behind, and so many others.

Loving others every day of our lives is the only way to bring peace to this crazy world. So today, give that helping hand, send that smile someone’s way. You may never know how much it really means to someone else. Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! I hope you truly cherish those around you and make it a wonderful, happy day full of LOVE .