You may ask yourself, should you celebrate Valentine’s Day? After all, isn’t it just a made-up holiday to make money off of us? Doesn’t it make single people feel bad? An open letter from a single woman to the couples surrounding her.

Dear Sister,

I wrote an whole, fun post about being your own Valentine if you don’t have someone. As much as I would like to say that’s where I am right now, I know that I’ll be a bit sad on February 14th. I may try to soften the harsh realities of the love holiday with good food, but it felt dishonest to go on and on about how I’m going to celebrate this year. Hopefully, I won’t spend the day wallowing in self-pity, but the more I thought about it, I want to address people who hate the holiday. 

Should you waste time celebrating Valentine’s Day?

Every year someone says it’s a made-up holiday. They don’t need a greeting card company to tell them to show love. You’ve heard the rants or maybe you’ve made them.

Since married people feel the need to comment on single people’s marital status, feelings, and future, I thought it might be fun for some coupled persons to hear a single gal’s opinion on what some call Single’s Awareness Day.

For Those In Love

I am so happy that you found love. Yes, sometimes seeing it makes me a little sad, but I don’t begrudge your happiness. I’m just lonely.

Valentine’s Day is coming. With that comes pressure. It highlights relationship status for good or bad. Now, you may be bracing yourself for a bitter rant about how February 14th is no more than an attack on my singleness, but you would be wrong. 

If you are blessed enough to have someone you love and that person loves you back, why wouldn’t you take every opportunity to celebrate them? Why wouldn’t you make them feel special and appreciated and seen?

Being single is lonely. If I am every blessed to cross over to the other side, you better believe I plan to express how much I love him on Valentine’s Day. 

Who cares if florists and greeting card companies and chocolatiers have capitalized on the holiday? Christmas has turned pretty commercial and we still celebrate Jesus’ birth. Thanksgiving is about being thankful for God’s blessings and we celebrate that. So yeah, I think something as big as finding a partner for life is special enough to take a beat and say, I appreciate having you in my life, and I’m going to celebrate you.

Isn’t Valentine’s Day Just an Excuse to Show Off?

If you don’t want it to look like you’re showing off, then don’t. Plan a private celebration at home. Cook a romantic meal and spend time together.

Aren’t I just throwing my money away to companies taking advantage of the holiday?

Be creative this Valentine’s Day!

If you don’t want to give your money to companies taking advantage of the holiday, then don’t. Make your own card, bake something chocolate, buy them a rose bush from a garden store instead of a florist. Think gesture over cost.

Why Do I Need a Holiday to Tell Me to Show Love?

If you don’t want to just celebrate them on Valentine’s Day, then don’t. Celebrate them and express your love every single day you get to be in their life. If you complain about having to buy flowers in February because it’s expected, then you better be buying them flowers the rest of the year.

Just a few single gal thoughts about a holiday I wish I was blessed enough to celebrate. So, should you celebrate Valentine’s Day? If you are fortunate enough to celebrate Valentine’s, then I hope you find creative ways to show how much you love them.

Your Sister,

Mallary

XOXO