Make Valentine’s Day special to all

Valentine’s Day is coming up.

Being in a Christian college means that the couples are extra coupley this week. It is very easy to feel lonely, like you will never find someone, no matter where you are. 

We get so caught up wanting romantic love that we forget there is love all around us. I know I do. It’s hard not to when everywhere you look there are couples.

Having a boyfriend or a girlfriend sounds like the best thing in the world and we get so caught up in wanting a romantic relationship that we forget to enjoy the season of life we are in right now. There is so much happening around us, so many friends wanting to talk and so many new people to meet yet we get so in our head we forget to appreciate it. 

Pause.

Before I go on: There is nothing wrong with wanting a romantic relationship; it is natural. I strongly dislike it when someone says, “it’ll come when you least expect it,” because while that may be true, it’s annoying. 

Don’t get so caught up in getting a romantic relationship that you ignore all the other relationships in your life. 

Spending Valentine's Day alone is discouraging but my challenge is to make someone else’s day better. It’ll make yours better too. 

Bring flowers to your mom. Treat your sister to a dinner out. Hang out with your brother. Call your grandparents. 

These people are in your life and have been in your life for some time now. Showing your family you appreciate them can mean way more to them than you think. 

Or you could make an adventure out of it. 

Take yourself on a date. Get flowers for a random person. Hang out with your friends. And let yourself be a little disappointed because it is OK, and natural. 

Call someone you haven’t in a while. Start a conversation with someone random. 

I feel like we have this preconceived idea of what this day is supposed to be like but it doesn’t have to be that. Whatever idea you have in your head it doesn’t have to happen. 

Valentine’s Day is about love so let’s make it about love. Show your love to those in your life you overlook, show your love to the people around you. Show your love to the retail workers and restaurant workers that are making this day special for you. 

Seriously, that last one is important. Remember that they are people too and they make this day possible for anyone single or taken. 

So, whether you are in college or another stage in your life, you can be a little disappointed if you are spending this Valentine’s Day alone. But don’t get so disappointed that you forget to show love to those in your life that love you no matter what.