Aww, how cute! It’s that time of the year when roses, candy hearts, and teddy bears can be seen on every shelf in America, and we seem to be wearing sunglasses with red and pink lenses.
Commence the gagging sounds.
Anyone who knows me will probably tell you I am the paradigm of a hopelessly cynical, single girl who enjoys Valentine’s Day only because it’s a time to make fun of all the hype and drama that couples seem to go through for that one stupid night.
Well, that’s mostly true.
Everything used to be so simple; back in elementary school, Valentine’s Day meant exchanging cartoon cards that said “I’m crazy about you!” with everyone in your class (because you still liked almost everyone) and eating cupcakes decorated with hearts. But as we progress into high school and college, the tip of Cupid’s arrow sometimes seems to bring more loath than love.
This week will be filled with people either saying, “I can’t wait for Thursday” with visions of romance in their eyes, or muttering, “Valentine’s Day is so stupid; I hate it” with visions of arrows plummeting from the sky like a scene out of 300. Either way, the holiday meant to bring love and happiness seems to carry far more stress and hatred.
What I love about today’s society, however, is that singles no longer have to sit in their rooms stabbing voodoo dolls of their exes, bitter about a day where couples across the United States are acting gushy and happy. We have taken, instead, to making it a day to spend laughing at the ridiculousness of such a holiday.
Rather than sit at home, singles should get a group of friends together and do something fun. Go out and see a movie. Plan an “Un-Valentine’s Day Party.” Send sarcastic Valentine’s Day cards to your single friends. Whatever floats your boat; however, don’t just sit in your room complaining that you don’t have a significant other and hating every couple who is out having fun. As much as it kills me to support the sappy couples, they are having a good time and I guess that’s the important thing.
I will personally be spending Valentine’s Day with a group of girlfriends watching hokey, romantic movies and laughing about how guys should be more like those in the films (and how we doubt they ever will be—sorry boys). And, not to venture too far from being myself, I will be sending out Happy Bunny cards with “Love bites big time. Happy Valentine’s Day!” printed on the inside, which were given to me as a gift from some of my friends who know me all too well.
Now for everyone who still, despite the fun times that can be had without a significant other, wishes they had a date—ask someone! I know it’s tough, but it can be done. And avoid the “pseudodate” at all costs (my friend and I coined this term for a date that is not actually deemed as a “date” by the other person—very common in the RPI world). Don’t beat around the bush thinking they will ask you; be upfront and just take the plunge. Then if rejection should rear its ugly head, at least you have a reason to be sitting at home feeling bitter.
The moral: just have fun. It’s only one day out of the year, so you can either cuddle up to your significant other (yes, I really did just say that) or take some time to hang out with your friends so that you all avoid the doldrums that can sometimes come with such a sappy holiday.
