Appreciating the people we love is essential to any relationship. Usually, for Valentine’s Day, we seem to only consider our romantic relationships. I’d say that this day should be wide spread to any and all relationships we have.

For example, when I was younger, I always made cute Valentine cards for my family members. When I was about seven years old, I made one for my mom that said “To: my true love” and had something very cheesy on the inside. She loved it and appreciated the thought that went into it, even if I didn’t understand what “true love” was (but I’d like to think that the love between a mother and child is the truest form of love that there is). I am aware that things change as you age, and making cards for your loved ones isn’t considered priority, but it means more than one may think.

Last year, my mom sent out gift boxes filled with chocolates, Valentine sticky notes, toys, and a stuffed animal to my brother and sister, who are older and live away from home. It meant a lot to my sister to get that in the mail. College kids appreciate anything from their parents, especially if it’s food. My brother was in marine boot camp at the time and didn’t receive it until five months later. He was excited nontheless to see everything he had gotten while in San Diego, and the box of goodies was surprising because of the thought that went into it. I was living at home and got the gift directly, and wasn’t single, but it meant more to me than the present my boyfriend at the time gave me.

This year, I plan on spending this special day with my friend Andrea. We are going to watch Deadpool and eat a ton of chocolate, popcorn and Chaba, and we’re going to have fun. I’m going to send my mom a card, probably call her and let her know that she is appreciated.

I am happily single. I won’t be in my bed crying over some romantic comedy because I wish I had a relationship like the ones portrayed in movies. I know realistically that those kinds of things never really happen, and I’m okay with that.

Although Valentine’s Day normally revolves around being romantic, it doesn’t have to be that way. I appreciate my family and friends and choose to use this holiday as an excuse to show them how much I care. Being single isn’t the end of the world, and hey, being single on Valentine’s Day means that you get to spend money that would usually be spent on your boyfriend/girlfriend on yourself!