Today is Valentine’s Day.
Being a fan of romance and having written my share of romantic content, I like to think I appreciate the sentiment of this day as much as any straight man. For that reason, I encourage everyone who is lucky enough to have a special someone in their lives to make this day count.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a minor gesture or needlessly elaborate.
It doesn’t matter if it’s sappy, cliched, or corny.
So long as what you for the one you love is genuine, sentimental, and loving, it’s worth doing. This is the kind of day where you can show that special someone just how much they matter to you. Even if they already know, just make an effort to remind them. Go out of your way to be extra romantic. Don’t do it because you want something romantic or sexy in return. Do it out of love.
That’s what Valentine’s Day is all about. Do things out of love and do them with heart.
But if you’re like me and you don’t have that special someone, then you can still enjoy Valentine’s Day. I freely admit that in years past, I did not like this day very much. Being single and alone on Valentine’s Day can be rough. Seeing other couples do something special feels like a gut punch reminder that you’re single, alone, and have nobody to cuddle up to on a cold winter night.
However, being single on Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate feeling loved. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate more and more the love I get from friends, family, and those close to me. It may not be romantic, but it’s definitely genuine. And as you get older, you come to appreciate that kind of love just as much.
Now, I’m not sure if I’ll ever meet that special someone. I’m not getting any younger and meeting people these days is more challenging than it was when I was young. But I won’t let that discourage me. And I won’t let that undermine the love I feel from those close to me. Valentine’s Day, to me, is a nice reminder of just how loved I am. And that’s worth celebrating.
So, with this sentiment in mind and heart, I wish everyone, single and non-single alike, a safe and happy Valentine’s Day!
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