Ever since I was a little girl, I've had my personal love affair with Valentine's Day. Every year on February 14th, with enthusiasm, I watched my very romantic father bring my mother a large velvet heart-shaped box filled with chocolates that he picked up at the local pharmacy.
My father always remembered to bring a miniature version of the same red velvet box of chocolates for me, as well. I always knew on that day that there was something romantic about Valentine's Day. It was a tradition in our family that went back to when I was four years old.
Regardless of my relationship status, as a hopeful romantic, Valentine's was, and still is, a day that I cherish. I recall a former beau telling me that Valentine's Day was the most important day of the year. Whether he meant it or not, he knew that a woman would appreciate the kind gestures he made while planning the Valentine's Day festivities.
So what's a single person to do when they are dateless on Valentine's Day? How do you get through the day without hiding under the sheets? Do you respond to the text message from the guy who wishes you a Happy Valentine's Day, but doesn't ask you to be his date?
My suggestion is to create a community of friends who might feel the same way as you do and get together and celebrate the joy of your friendship. There's nothing more powerful than your girlfriend network.
Since Valentine's is on a Monday this year, go out to view a romantic comedy or stay in to view HBO's exclusive documentary tonight, "When Strangers Click: Five Stories From the Internet."
"When Strangers Click" airs at 9:00 PM EST/PST on HBO2 on Valentine's Day. In this film, you'll see heartwarming stories of five couples who found love online. The best part of the film is its authenticity. From a 30-year old woman who thinks her shelf life has expired, to the woman who packed a wedding gown and flew to Prague to marry a man she never even spoke to, to the man who Googled "gay" and received a big surprise. The takeaway: It's all about real people, and not filled with glamour shots or high pressure ads. It's the authenticity that makes this documentary so compelling.
Not sure about online dating? Here's your chance to hear a lively debate on the BBC. On Valentine's Day, I'll be a guest on the Tony Livesey Show at midnight UK time (7:00pm EST) in "Can You Find Love on the Internet? You can listen in live at BBC 5 Live.
Valentine's Day will always be my favorite holiday. It's right up there with my birthday. Regardless of my relationship status, I will always remember the velvet chocolate heart-shaped box that was presented to "Daddy's Little Girl" every year on February 14th. As far as the guy who sent the text to say "Happy Valentine's Day," it's my belief that he was texting women in rotation. No phone call, no card, no flowers, no date invitation. His text got deleted. There's something special about Valentine's Day, and in my opinion, a text won't keep you high on the totem pole.
Are you a hopeful romantic? Will you be going out on Valentine's Day or staying in this year? Your comments are always welcome.
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