Valentine’s Day can be a highly controversial holiday. Some believe it to be just another made up, “corporate” holiday. I’d argue that all holidays have become a bit corporate so why rip on Valentine’s Day? I am what most would call a “Valentine’s Baby,” as my birthday falls on the holiday. Now, you may be thinking this is obviously a bias. Which may be true, but it doesn’t make what I feel about this holiday and my experiences with it any less true! This is my story on how having a birthday on Valentine’s Day has made me appreciate it even more! Another detail I’d like to add as that I’ve never been in a relationship. I’ll be celebrating my 21st birthday this Valentine’s Day and I feel like it’s the perfect time to reflect on what this holiday means to me.
Just because I have grown to love Valentine’s Day for what it stands for in my eyes instead of traditional values doesn’t mean I’ve always loved it this way. We can all have thoughts of doubt at times. There have been a couple times that I wish I had a romantic relationship to celebrate. So, what have I done to push these negative thoughts away? I think about the relationships I do have to celebrate. There is not much point in dwelling on something you don’t have.
This means celebrating the amazing family and friends I am lucky enough to have in my life. Family has always been important to me. I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am if it weren’t for my family. So going out to dinner with my family and enjoying the time I have with them is crucial. Some of my favorite and core memories are from dining out with my family. The jokes, the comforting atmosphere of all being together never ceases to make me smile or brighten my day.
My friends are also exceptionally important to me. I am an out of state student, so seeing my best friend from home isn’t possible in the middle of the semester, but distance doesn’t mean we won’t text or call each other and save the celebrating for when I come home. I have amazing friends here in Kent as well, my roommates for one. They mean the world to me, so celebrating them is always a welcome idea that I will do any chance I can get. This Valentine’s Day, that means a Galentine’s Day celebration full of self-care, fun snacks and movies. Loving yourself is important, but not always possible. When I struggle to love myself, pouring kindness into others and showing them the love and appreciation I hold in my heart for them makes me just as happy. I plan on making my roommates chocolate covered strawberries for our Galentine’s Day and doing fun activities with them such as putting in hair tinsel together so they can all sparkle as much on the outside as they do on the inside.
It is due to all the lovely people in my life that my attitude and thoughts of Valentine’s Day have been able to change when I feel doubt. Even after all this time being single, I find Valentine’s Day is the holiday I enjoy the most. It is also the holiday I feel the most content with being single on. Valentine’s Day is a celebration for me, not just because it’s my birthday but because self-love is always important. So, if you can, and if you don’t have someone else to be in love with, be in love with yourself! Show yourself compassion. Personally, I love doing self-care. Putting on face masks, painting my nails with hearts and Valentine’s Day colors or dying my hair.
In recent years, putting some pink in my hair makes me smile and gives me something fun for myself to enjoy. As I mentioned, this year I’ll be doing hair tinsel with my roommates. Just something fun to make myself feel confident and happy. I am also a fashion major, so you know I’ve got several Valentine’s Day outfits planned. From red tights to black tights with hearts, half-pink half-red sweaters, sweaters with hearts, hair clips in the shape of hearts. You name it, and I’ve probably got it.
Decorating my space also makes me happy. I mean, I am just a girl, so I stand no chance against stores filled with hearts, pink and glitter anyway. So, my room is obviously going to be filled with exactly that. Â Something more recent that my mom has been doing special for me is getting me a pair of cute pajamas. Just a simple way of making me feel my best even when going to sleep.
I surround myself with the people who make me feel joy in times of sorrow and I make my space and myself feel fulfilled through decorating and self-care. That is how I have been able to stay content with myself for 21 years now. So, go enjoy Valentine’s Day! For yourself, your friends, your family, a significant other or anyone else you love.