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| Photo Credit: zuzafun.com |
If the thought of Valentine’s Day makes you nauseated, you’re far from alone. For years, generations of us singles have groaned at the sight of chalky candy hearts and corny Hallmark cards. For those of us seeking romance, V-Day serves as a glaring reminder of our solitude, rubbing salt into an already aching wound. And for those of us who happily choose to fly solo, it always seems to give the nagging feeling that we’re doing something wrong.
In elementary school Februrary 14th was the best day of the year, but there comes a time when we all have to dismantle those little paper mailboxes filled with love notes, sticky cherry-red heart lollipops, and pink tinfoil-wrapped chocolates and accept the harsh fact that we don't get goodies in the real world. Instead, we just throw boxes of chocolates at the TV screen (Legally Blonde style).
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| Photo Credit: rebloggy.com |
But, WAIT; it doesn’t have to be like this. Isn’t Valentine’s Day supposed to be about love? Who says that love has to be limited to romantic affection? Maybe Parks and Recreation’s Leslie Knope had the right idea when she coined the term “Galentine’s Day,” a day to celebrate the love between you and your closest friends with food, dancing, and laughter—a day to clink your glasses to the eternal bonds of camaraderie! Even more importantly, why not celebrate the love you have for yourself rather than fixating on someone else’s validation? What could be a more appropriate time to celebrate the fact that you’re single, free, and happy?
Vassar students are starting to catch on to this feel-good V-day wave. First-year Anna Blum could not be more excited to be a single lady this February 14th, saying, “Single [students] take on a defeatist attitude around this time of year. They deny a lot of positive energy and love they receive if it’s not romantic […] I think [they] are doing themselves a disservice by worrying about finding a romantic partnership, thinking that the most important thing is having a date for Valentine’s Day. Sometimes, the happiest and most full-of-love encounters can be found in friendships.”
This sentiment is being echoed around campus, resulting in manifold celebrations of different kinds. Some choose to go the festive route— Samantha Guss, ’17, says she’s hosting a Galentine’s Day bash with her girlfriends. “We wanted an excuse to eat cheese, sans hookup anxiety,” she laughs. Others choose to stay in and enjoy the time to themselves, savoring a welcome chance to relax. “I’m so looking forward to just ordering in food and watching movies,” says first year Rachel Marklyn. “To be honest, that sounds better to me than any conventional Valentine’s Day date.”
Come February 14th, we will all be celebrating Valentine’s Day in our own way— and it deserves to be a good one, regardless of relationship status.
Written by: Faith Hill
Edited by: Michael Gambardella
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| Photo Credit: thestore.com |
Edited by: Michael Gambardella
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