By Lori Welch Brown

In my opinion, Valentine’s Day gets a bad rap. Sure—it’s laden with consumer trappings, and no one hates seeing the retail aisles go from red and green holly to pink and red hearts by December 26th worse than me. But, maybe—just maybe—we could put a different spin on Cupid.

Retailers and restauranteurs have led us down a very romantic (and expensive) path laden with rose petals and made us feel inadequate if there isn’t a perfectly coiffed soulmate willing to throw down a platinum AMEX for a five-course meal for us. And, of course, in return, we are made to feel guilty if we haven’t likewise paid the equivalent of a month’s worth rent for waxing ourselves into a piece of designer lingerie.

Whoever said that Valentine’s Day was reserved for lovers?

Remember back in the day when Valentine’s was about showing love to everyone—your classmates, teachers, cousins, and neighbors? Love was abundant and didn’t discriminate. And in return, you bounded home from school, brown bag overflowing with love.

Since we’re taking a stroll down memory lane—remember when your biggest stressor in life was whether to go with Disney (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, or Goofy) or Hanna-Barbera (Jetsons, Pebbles, Tom & Jerry, or Scooby)? The patience your mother practiced at Peoples Drug waiting for you to make the perfect selection. The time you took meticulously curating each card to deliver just the right message—friendly, but not too friendly. Commiserating over each ‘You are 2 CUTE’ and ‘Aren’t U SPECIAL’ and ‘You’re the SWEETEST.’

Let’s take Valentine’s Day back. Let’s break out the Crayolas and construction paper and channel our inner kid. Let’s forego the roses and filets and invest in friendship bracelets and edible candy heart necklaces.

This is why I’m a fan of Galentine’s Day. The ladies took Valentine’s Day back. They decided to rewrite the age-old story of the ‘unchosen’ sitting home alone, eating Chinese food, pondering “how many cats make me a cat lady?.” Instead, they gather, raise a glass, and honor their “singledom”.  No one should feel badly for not having a partner on any day of the year—let alone an FTD holiday. So, if you are single, be single together. Reach out to your friends and let them know how much you love and appreciate them.

And hey—you know what other kind of love feels good? Puppy love. Visit a shelter. Look into volunteering at a rescue. Maybe it’s time to adopt. There are no limits on love and/or number of cats you can bring home. Single cat lady is a compliment so wear it with pride.

There are many, many ways to express love other than sending flowers or making reservations. Use your imagination. Be creative. Bake muffins. Shovel a driveway. Draw a picture. Write a poem. Knit a scarf. Whether it’s for your spouse, crush, or your fave barista, put your own spin on it.

While you’re busy crafting ways to show your love, spend some time looking for love. It shows up in a myriad of places—and never the place you’re looking for it. See the love in your parents’ eyes. Observe the love happening on your bus ride to work. Watch it in the squirrels playing in your yard. Before you know it, you’ll start seeing a love ‘fest everywhere you look.

If you’re still feeling disappointed, down in the dumps, and/or dreading THE BIG DAY, know that you are not alone. First—it’s just that—a day. Twenty-four hours. It is not forever. And, second—you are never alone. We have all been there. Heck—just do a search and find the archives of this column. That should provide you with plenty of entertainment as well as proof that you are not alone. Seek out and find your tribe. And you know where you can find them? On Netflix. And Hulu. And Prime.

My Best Friend’s Wedding. Waiting to Exhale. Bridesmaids. He’s Just Not That In To You. The First Wives’ Club. Bridget Jones’ Diary. Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Friends with Benefits. The Break Up. What Women Want. Jerry Maguire. 

Pop the popcorn and settle in for a cozy evening of love and self-care. Whip up a DIY facial mask, prop your feet up, and let the good times roll.

Are you feeling the love yet? Dang—we haven’t even touched on self-love. Showing yourself love is the best thing you can do. Who—if not you—is most deserving of love? And no—not that kind. Errrrr—well, if you’re so inclined, that kind too. But you know what I mean. Be KIND to yourself. Treat yourself to a day of love.  Book a massage. Buy yourself some chocolates—splurge and get the good, decadent kind.

At this stage in the game, I vote for celebrating everything—and I mean everything we can—even the chubby little cherub with the arrow. The west coast is on fire, we’re one step away from the next Covid-corona-noro-monkey-pox-take the world out-influenza, whilst waiting for the next mentally ill person to drive a truck through a crowd-filled street of happy revelers.

Yes, we mourn and grieve—and help where/when we can. Anxiety abounds. Hopefully, it’s at a manageable level. Some anxiety is healthy and normal. It alerts us to present dangers and motivates us to move in a positive, forward direction—even if it’s after burying our heads in our pillows for a few hours or a day or 364.

But then we must look for the positives and find reasons to come together to celebrate, commune, give gratitude, and spread love.

And nothing says ‘love’ like Valentine’s Day.

XOXO, Lori

About the Author: Lori is a local writer, painter and pet lover who loves to share her experiences and expertise with our readers. She has been penning a column for the OTC for over 25 years. Please follow Lori online on Medium for more missives like this.