Valentine’s was last week, and this year (unlike last year) I spent it alone… well not alone, but I didn’t have a “valentine”. When I arrived at school on the morning of February 14th, I felt as if I wasn’t really in the loop. People see Valentine’s Day as a day to show affection for someone you like, and that’s it. I actually laughed because I felt as if no one really understands Valentine’s Day.

So no, I didn’t have a guy buy me flowers or chocolates, and I didn’t leave school with a stuffed teddy bear, but that just made things so much clearer for me. If you have a good partner at your side, take advantage of the day to show them extra attention, but if you don’t – it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re lonely.

I don’t know if any girls in my school were sad or annoyed that they didn’t “have a guy” on Valentine’s Day. I started thinking this way at first, but then I realized that you can celebrate Valentine’s Day in so many other ways (with friends and family) if you want to. I spent the day with my best friends and it was probably one of the best Valentine’s I’ve ever had. You don’t need a partner to celebrate Valentine’s Day; sometimes all you need is what’s already close to you.

-Alexa