This weekend I’ll be celebrating my first single Valentine’s Day since I was 16.
Crazy, right?
Even at 16 Valentine’s Day was still one of those things that didn’t matter very much. You got served heart-shaped cookies in the school cafeteria and everyone was buzzing about who they were going to ask to the Turnabout dance. Valentine’s Day wasn’t really a thing.
So for all my “adult” life, Valentine’s Day has always been a “couples” thing. Which was great because I have, for as long as I can remember, been one half of a couple.
This year, as the day approaches, it’s more of a fact than anything — I haven’t had any outward emotional reaction to it. I mean, I’ve had a few emotional moments this week that have come out of nowhere, and I have to assume the upcoming holiday is the cause. Not because I’m sad necessarily, but because it’s weird, I guess. Weird isn’t the right word but then again, there isn’t really a word for it. So we’ll go with weird.
But regardless of the fact that this year I won’t get a bouquet of flowers or a custom cake from my favorite bakery, I can’t be sad because I’m not alone. I don’t feel alone because I’m surrounded by love. Love doesn’t exclusively come from a romantic partner. I’ve always known that but I was never forced to see the love outside of a relationship because I had that comfort of one for so long. So now I see the love from others a lot more clearly now. I’m not alone.
I’m not alone because I have a family. I’m not alone because I work daily with people who love me. They don’t just coexist with me, they love me. I’m not alone because I have a group of friends who know me, the good and the bad, and they still love me. I’m developing loving relationships with new people every day: new coworkers, new roommates, blog friends. And lastly, I’m not alone because I’ve gotten to know myself a lot lately and, what do you know, I really like “me.”
Let’s go back to that “blog friends” thing. I feel so much love from YOU. This outlet has helped me meet so many people in the last few months and brought me out of my bubble more than I ever thought I could. Everyone who has ever commented, even the people I haven’t met and may never meet in real life, have been nothing but kind. You guys show me love every time you read the words I put down and care when I open up to you. People who have never even met me but still feel some connection to me. I feel love from you.
So even though this Valentine’s Day I’m no longer the other half in a happy couple, I’m not alone.
And regardless of your situation, you’re never alone either.
Now who wants to send me some chocolate-covered strawberries?
i had a big lunch 
Hi 5 to being singletons this Valentine’s Day. Glad you’re in this frame of mind though- I can’t imagine what it would be like to have been in a relationship or with someone every year since 16 but sounds like your not phased- And that’s a good thing!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you too!
Sending you lots of love and blog hugs! Happy Valentines 😘❤️ J xx
Thanks Jen! Happy Valentine’s Day! Enjoy it with David and your parents!
I love this! Valentine’s Day is one of my favorite holidays mainly because I have a reason to be a lovey-dovey sap, which I almost never am. I love your outlook and I totally agree. Happy V-day! 🙂
It is such a sappy day! Enjoy it!
Call me. Alex will be working 😀
Haha I took an impromptu trip to the burbs to be with my girlfriends 🙂 I can’t believe Alex is working!! I guess hospital don’t close for Hallmark holidays…how rude.
I love this Lauren! I think everyone is loved by someone (or lots of someones), and even if they don’t realize it, they’re not alone! Sending you lots of love through the computer screen! Xoxoxo
So true! Everyone is loved by someone 🙂 I just wanted to reiterate that you’re never alone. Have a beautiful weekend, Erin!
I feel tons of love from my new blogger friends! A lot of the time I wish y’all were my “real life” friends. BTW, Valentine’s Day is the dumbest holiday ever, so it’s all good! =)
Haha I sometimes wish my “real life” friends were more like my blogger friends too — it’s funny because my “real life” friends don’t care about food OR fitness — it’s crazy! Where did I find these people? Kidding 🙂
Love this! You are right you are not alone! No one is, we are all surrounded by people who we love and love us. Valentines day is not only for couples is for families and friends too! Happy Valentines day 🙂
So true! I feel so surrounded by love and the Valentine’s Day theme all over the place hasn’t bugged me at all — love is love! And anytime love is in the air it’s a good thing!
I love this and I think you have a great attitude. I think Valentine’s day is for everyone, not just couples. I always tell my friends and family how much I love them on the day too.
Love is in the air — and love is for everyone and in lots of forms 🙂
This was so beautiful and spot on, Lauren! I feel what you are going through because this is my first Valentine’s Day as a single girl in five years. It just seems so weird to me to think about. I wish we lived closer because we would just have the most epic girl’s night tomorrow night! I hope you are able to surround yourself with friends and family you love tomorrow and eat lots of chocolate and pizza : )
Haha I know we’re both on the same page — weird isn’t the right word for it but that’s what we have to go with. You and I would totally have the best Vday ever! Pizza is definitely happening tomorrow 🙂 Happy Valentine’s Day, love!
Aww this is such an awesome and sweet post! I’ve pretty much always been single for Vday haha, and I honestly never really thought much of it, just a Hallmark holiday ya know! But I never realized it is a great time to really be thankful for all the people in your life!
I can completely relate to blogging taking you out of your comfort zone too! When I first started my blog for a school project, I was honestly embarrassed to present it for my project, now I am going around telling strangers to check it out! It really makes you share whats going on in your head and the positive reactions from all the wonderful bloggers and readers is just incredible!
I just got comfortable telling other people about it too! Well, in the past few months. I feel so proud of it now! That’s so cool that it was a school project for you and now it’s a passion. I love it!
Aw. Love you!
As I got older I never really focused much on Valentine’s Day. It’s just not one of those holidays that I care much about. It’s not like I will be doing anything differently either; everyday is a day filled w chocolate for me. I hope you have a great weekend and remember you are awesome!
Haha I like that — “every day is a day filled with chocolate for me”
There has to be a bumper sticker for that…
I hope you have a great Valentines Day! Some of my best Valentines memories are during my single years cuz lets face it… single gals know how to party! hehe! ❤
I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be a blast haha I’ll keep ya updated 😉
I’m glad you can see Valentine’s Day in this light. I feel like Valentine’s Day is really just a label and it tends to drive people (singles and couples alike) crazy because of what it’s SUPPOSED to mean. Honestly, I think every day is what you make of it and you can choose to celebrate any day any way you want.
Haha you’re right I think, depending on the individual person, you can either love it or hate it, regardless of whether or not you’re in a relationship. Love is in the air and that’s always a good thing, no matter you relationship status!
YUP YUP YUP! You nailed it. This will be my second solo v-day in a row, but I’m all for it!! I’m going to have a lovely date with a girlfriend.
Yeah I can’t wait for my girls night! (never know where the apostrophe goes on that one…) Have a great vday!
Girl, I say you go buy YOURSELF a bouquet of flowers and a custom cake from your favorite bakery! Ain’t no one need a man to do that for them. (Even if it is cheaper to have a man do it for you, since that ish can be expensive…but, girl, you are an employed and hardworking lady! You’ve got your own money you can spend on nice things for yourself!) Seriously, though. As a very wise blogger I follow said today (and many times before today), your first and last love is self-love, and I think you have every right to treat yourself to something nice. That being said, you’re totally spot on with this: there are SO many kind of love in the world and our lives outside of ~romantic~ love, and I think Valentine’s Day is a great day to celebrate all of them 🙂
I will most definitely be getting myself a treat: I’ve narrowed it down to a) donut b) Portillo’s cake shake c) actual piece of cake… We’ll see!
I love that notion about self-love. It’s true: we come into this world alone and we leave alone…we best like the person we become throughout life 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!
Awww great read! I am part of a couple this year but I spent many, MANY years being single on valentine’s day. I think being single has a ton of benefits like that fact that you can focus more on yourself and your passions. I admire your positivity, no go out and have some fun with your gal pals! 😉
Thanks I will! Haha I can’t wait to read about your romantic weekend 🙂
Hundo P agree with the sentiment that love comes in so many forms, from so many people in our lives, and we’re so blessed to feel (and give!) love. that whole “throw kindness around like confetti” thing? throw LOVE around like confetti. it’s amazing how far a little love can go. this is the first year in yearsss that i actually AM a part of a couple, and i have to say that i never, ever minded being single on Vday. you have so much inner strength and glow, and i hope you feel alllll the love from everyone in your lovely life this wknd. xo.
Haha hundo p! “Throw love around like confetti” — I kinda want to get a tattoo of that now, thanks! I don’t mind being single at all — it’s such an adventure! Have a great weekend, love!
What a beautiful mindframe!! I was single for my first time last year on valentines day and I had the best time of my life. Love from friends and loving myself was better than I expected! Sending you blogger love today and always xoxo
Thanks for the love! Sending some back your way 🙂 I’m looking forward to a fun weekend! Can’t wait to read about yours too!
I love this post. You have such a great attitude! You’re 100% right too – there are so many people who love you.
Thanks lady! And thank you for stopping by 🙂 Can’t wait to check out your blog. Have a wonderful weekend!
I like your outlook on this holiday Lauren. And I do indeed feel the love from you even through your writing. And I’m glad we are blogger buddies! Sending lots of love your way!
Glad we’re blogger buddies too 🙂 I hope you have a great first Vday as an engaged lady! And still sending prayers to your family.
Thank you so much, Lauren. The prayers and good thoughts/vibes are appreciated. He’s doing alright, but it will still be rough until he at least gets his surgery done with here in a couple of weeks. From there…we will hope and pray for the best.
Great perspective – love this! xoxo!!
Thanks lovely! Have a great weekend 🙂
Love this Lauren! Happy Valentines Day – so glad we have gotten to meet and can’t wait for more fun time 🙂 Have a great weekend!
You too Sara! I’m lucky to call you a friend!
Happy Valentine’s Day to my blogger friend! Hope you have a fantastic weekend!
Thank you! I hope you have a great weekend too! Enjoy all the love that’s in the air 🙂
Being single on Valentine’s Day is fun! I am taking myself out to brunch and then having a wine pairing dinner with my best friend and two guy friends. Happy Vday! 🙂 You certainly are loved!
I think I’m going to get a cake shake from Portillos 🙂 that will be my gift to me. Brunch is the best! Your plans sound incredible.
This is such an awesome post! Valentines Day is about sharing love with your family and friends. And if you happen to have a special someone, then great. If not, there is no shame, nor should you feel less special or less loved! Great outlook! Enjoy being single and SMILE!
Love is love! There is so much of it to go around — it doesn’t matter who it’s coming from 🙂
Great post! Have a great day today and continue to remember you are loved! Xo.
Thanks, Lauren! I hope you had a great weekend!
I think EVERY DAY should be considered Valentine’s Day! We should express our love for others on the DAILY!
Agreed — let’s shower everyone with love everyday … and make it a point to eat lots of sweets. Because, that’s a happy world if I’ve ever heard of one.
I would send you some chocolate covered strawberries in a second! (Yum and good choice!) We don’t really celebrate Valentines Day anyway…I prefer to let the people in my life that I love know every day of the year rather than just on one day. YOU are loved by many, friend! I hope your weekend has been as great as you are. ❤
Thank you so much for the kind sentiment! I had a wonderful weekend 🙂 can’t wait to hear about yours. I’ll be waiting on my strawberries!
If I knew 100% chocolate covered strawberries would stay good in the mail the whole way from Kuwait, I totally would’ve sent you some!!
Science foils me again! 🙂
you are spot on and I love your attitude! We really don’t celebrate, other than a card and some m&ms, because really, pink and white m&m’s taste SO much better! Hope you had a great weekend 🙂
M&Ms are the perfect Valentine’s Day gift! Low-key but still the best candy. and of course the specially-colored ones taste much better 😉
I couldn’t agree with you more, Valentine’s Day is all about the people that love you and that you love – romantic or not – and it’s also about self-love! I’ve had a bunch of Valentine’s Days when my hubby is gone, and I use the holiday as an excuse to pamper and treat myself.