Happy Valentine's Day!!

Happy Valentine's Day. Just saying it makes me want to retch. There's nothing more special about a day of love when you are single. Alone. Unattached.

For a long time, I had many single girlfriends. Our mantra was, "Valentine's Day is about friendship!" and we'd go to dinner and a movie, buy each other cute little friendship gifts, and use it as an excuse to eat excessive amounts of chocolate. Well, one by one, these girls have married themselves off.... and as they do, Valentine's Day being a day about friendship is an idea of the past. No more cute friendship cards, or wanting to do something as friends. They are married, they have husbands!! They don't have to make themselves feel better with the friendship stance. Now it's which one got the best flowers, which one got jewelry, etc. (Ed.'s note: This year, the economy has worked in my favor. Flowers and gifts are less this year, so it's not as blaringly obvious as maybe it has been in years past.)

I work in a school, so at least I'm always guaranteed a little Valentine's action at work. I cruised the parties yesterday (while thanking God that I didn't have to be there the whole time) and I got quite a few cards, candy, and hugs from the kids. Kids love Valentine's Day - they give cards, candy, they get a party, they have huge smiles on their face. Hanging out with the kids restores my faith.

You know, Valentine's Day is the only day all year I feel crappy about being single. I'd like to thank the media and the retail industry (special shout out to Hallmark) for their hard work at taking a crack at my self-esteem. And I love when my married friends say, "Well, we aren't doing anything special for Valentine's." And I want to scream, "Dumbass, I think it's more about the fact you have SOMEONE while I lay alone tonight, clutching my pillow, crying myself to sleep over the huge void I have in my heart." (Ed.'s note: Okay, that last comment was even a little too melodramic for me!!) At least I'm not out any money, so I guess I have that going for me!

What will I do today? After I take a Xanax so I don't feel bad about being alone, I will either do what I wrote on Facebook (1. Bury head in sand. 2. Sleep. 3. Wake up on February 15th) or come out of my pity party long enough to rustle up the few single gal pals I have left and do something fun.

Before you run off to your romantic dinners, or stare at your beautiful flowers, why don't you take a moment and wish a single gal "Happy Valentine's Day." I bet you can count it as community service!!