Valentine's Day Blues

Sometimes you just feel like punching Cupid in the nose. Am I right? I remember one particularly bad Valentine's Day when I was working as a cashier. I had just gotten divorced. A guy came through my line bought a bunch of condoms then smirked at me. If that wasn't creepy enough, he winked at me. Then he wished me a Happy Valentine's Day. No! That didn't cheer me up. If I could have popped every red balloon in sight after that moment I would have. Then something happened later that day, I wished a co-worker near me Happy Valentine's Day. She then told me that it was just another day to her. She had been married for years. She had never gotten candy or flowers on V-day. Here I had been wallowing in my V-day blues because I was single again. This sweet woman was old enough to be my mom. So I got over my self pity, and got her some chocolate that day. I still remember her smile. It reminded me of a young child opening their first present on Christmas. We often believe the myth that if your single on Valentine's Day you have to be miserable. Another myth is that if your in a relationship on V-day your in for a romantic day. We forget to be content. We wish for what someone else has, and we don't realize that their life may not be the paradise we envisioned. So how can you cure the Valentine's Day blues? The first step can be as simple as showing a little kindness to someone else. The second step is go live a little. Whether your single or in a relationship, you can go out take a walk at the mall. Buy yourself a coffee or dessert. You'll find that you don't think about it so much once you treat yourself a little. Do I take this advice myself? Yes! V-Day is a celebration mainly geared towards my kids at my house. I enjoy making a nice dinner for them, and watching a movie. I also enjoy treating myself to something small that day like strawberries and chocolate. I went on a fun date last year with my oldest son. We ate subs. We spent forever in a book store. We talked and laughed. I didn't regret it at all. That is one of my favorite Valentine's memories now.