Day 136-Happy Valentine's Day

Ever since the ad campaigns and morning shows started plugging V-Day segments weeks ago, I've been thinking about Valentine's Day. Only two of the last 25 holidays stick out in my brain: First Grade and sophomore year of college. You see, in first grade, it was perfectly acceptable to share boyfriends. So I did-with my bestfriend at the time, Elizabeth. Little Will was certainly up to the task and arrived to class on the big day with two gifts in hand: the most beautiful diamond ring and a box of Russell Stovers chocolate. No surprise, I LONGED for that ring, desperately wanting him to choose me to be its wearer, thus symbolizing my rank in our little trio. But, when Will so gentlemanly asked us who wanted which gift, I volunteered to take the chocolate.

My little heart was broken that he'd just LET her have my precious gift and so I continued to boil throughout the day (my passionate Scorpio self developed early) until I finally reached my breaking point and wrote my feelings of hatred to Will in a note which I left for him to find after recess. I, on the other hand, proceeded to find myself in trouble with the teacher when Will promptly ratted me out, and we were forced to hug it out under her approving eye.

I fondly remember it as one of my fondest Valentine's Days yet, now I'm smart enough to know that good chocolate always trumps a plastic fake.

My other favorite moment was when I lived in the dorm sophomore year and as I was living it up single style, I didn't have a big date to get ready for like the other gals on the hall. So my friend M and I treated ourselves to Happy Meals and cozied up in front of a movie while everyone else scurried by in anticipation. I've been lucky enough to have my fair share of legit Valentine's dates, but that was the most satisfying yet. As I sit here, I'm ashamed that I can't remember how other VDays were celebrated, but I'm thinking that's because I probably received flowers (which I am eternally grateful for as they are my favorite) but didn't actually go or do anything extraordinary to celebrate. And I'll be the first to admit that there's no need to celebrate the day (I was totally enundated by the marketing ploys this year) but instead, spread the love year round, but I have a feeling that wasn't the reason I didn't get festive. For so long, I've been that first grader, desperate for attention and eager to please, and probably was feining contentment without requiring any effort on the part of my not-so-eager suitor.

That's all in the past, yet here we are on my 26th Valentine's Day, and I'm feeling surprisingly upbeat. I'm not going to pretend that being single is awesome because today more than most, it can be a little rough watching the flowers go by in Grand Central knowing they aren't for you. But instead of complaining about what I don't have, I'm trying to be grateful for what I do: dark Hershey kisses by the bagful, a care package from my parents, a funny card and new pair of sexy undies (to replace granny panties) from my bf back home, and the realization that I'm slowly growing up, saying goodbye to that little first grader who wanted nothing but a guy's affection and a little ring to prove it.

I'm Off the Market, In the Moment and wishing you an equally satisfying Valentine's Day!