How Do You Celebrate Valentine's Day When You Are Single?

This is a question I have had a decade to ponder! Admittedly, I would be very happy NOT to have to know this particular piece of information, but since I have finally figured it out, I will share it with you!

One of my lovely PINTEREST finds.

The secret to celebrating Valentine's Day as a single person is simply to broaden the definition of Valentine.

Instead of limiting it to romantic love, expand it to include ALL the people you love who love you back. You will find that instead of feeling alone on this day that celebrates love, you will actually feel like the King or Queen of LOVE. My sweetest Valentines are Josh and Ben and Emily. The Valentines you give birth to always hold a special place in your heart!

Don't stop there! Think about your parents and your siblings. Add your friends to the list. See, you are a Valentine Aficionado! You ooze love out of all your lovely pores! Love surrounds and defines you.

I must have always believed this to be true without even knowing that I knew it. Let me explain.

A few days ago, while I was cleaning up and de-cluttering (my pre-pre-pre putting the house on the market efforts), I came across a Valentine's Day poem and project I'd had published in a Holiday Book for teachers of young children. I'd totally forgotten this poem and when I re-read it, I realized that this would be the perfect thing to share with you all for the Valentine's post, so here it is:

Valentine Virus
   by
Rachel Karff Weissenstein

On February first,
Ann woke up in a tizzy.

She didn't have fever.
She didn't feel dizzy.

She hadn't a cold
And her throat wasn't sore

But something inside her
Was screaming for more--

More love, more attention--
She just wasn't sure.

So Ann called her mom,
Hoping she'd have a cure.

"Well it sounds like the
Valentine Virus," mom said.

"Don't worry a bit.
Now just hop out of bed."

"Will I live?" Ann inquired.
"Is it fatal...or worse?

And how did I get it?
From bad food..or a curse?"

"Now, now," said Ann's mother,
"I'll explain it to you.

But its not at all like
Chicken Pox or the flu.

The doctor's quite useless,
And they don't make a pill.

But I do know, my dear.
Why you're feeling so ill.

Valentine's Day is soon
And the hearts are all out.

In store windows, on TV;
Why they practically shout:

'Who loves you? Who cares?
Whom do you admire?

Is your heart all aglow
With a passionate fire?

Do you yearn? Are you yearned for?
What cards will you buy?

Will someone send chocolates?
And if not, then why?

Will your friends send you cards?
And if so, how many?

And how will you feel
If you never get any?'"

"Yes, yes!" Ann agreed.
"It all sounds quite perverse.

Quick, tell me the cure,
Before I get any worse!"

"The cure," said her mom,
"Is the simplest thing.

It will make your heart soar,
And your spirit will sing.

The 'Look Who Loves Me' necklace
Is the best remedy.

The virus will vanish
And its even pain-free.

We'll make it, one day
At a time," said her mother,

"And you'll soon have a necklace
Unlike any other.

Each day we'll add one heart
With one special name

Of someone who loves you--
No two hearts the same.

By Valentine's Day,
You'll have quite a collection

Of hearts on a string
Symbolizing affection.

You can count them and touch them,
And they'll always remind you

Of all of the people
Who are standing behind you.

'You go, girl' they'll shout.
'We love you, we do

On Valentine's, New Year's
And April Fools' too.'

On each day that is special
And each day that is plain

You are loved and admired
from New Jersey to Spain.

So each day remember....
And don't ever forget

That your necklace keeps growing;
It hasn't stopped yet.

Your 'Look Who Loves Me' necklace
Will only grow longer

As your love for yourself
Gets stronger and stronger."

On Februrary 14th,
Ann woke up in a hurry.

Her heart was racing,
But from joy, not worry.

She put on her necklace
And jumped out of bed.

She picked out a red dress
And a bow for her head.

Today is the day
To declare it out loud:

"Look at me. Look who .loves me."
Ann was feeling so proud.

"And look who I like,
Who I love and admire.

I can shout from the rooftops!
I can sing in the choir!

"You and you...oh and you
Happy Valentine's Day.

I've got such love to spare,
I'll just give some away."

So, Ann raced to school
With her bag overflowing

Full of Valentines to share
And a heart that's still growing!

        The End


Happy Valentine's Day and thank you to so many of you for being the names on my "LOOK WHO LOVES ME" necklace year after year!