I’m going to suppress my usual cynical self this year and actually allow this day to be celebrated around me without me sticking my finger down my throat to throw up or my constant need to keep rolling my eyes at mushy sentiment until my eyes get stuck in my forehead.  No. I’m going to be nice today and reply back ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’ to anyone who wishes me, if at all they do.

I’ve not always been this hardened, non-believer in love. I think I’m the most romantic person I know. I’d think out gifts for my significant other very carefully, keeping his likes and dislikes in mind. I’d book fancy weekends away, leave notes and presents everywhere and every mushy thing that you can think of. Then what changed it all?

I guess the circumstances I went through in life eroded this romanticism in me. In the past, I’d stay holed up at home on 14^th February and not go near shops lest I vomit at all the red nonsense everywhere – from teddy bears to lingerie, roses and chocolate, cards and romantic getaways. It just reminded me of a time I wanted to forget and this year I feel I’m completely healed.

I look on in amusement as I watch people indulge in buying things for their loved ones. Why should I let the bitterness of the past engulf me and think the worst for others? I guess being lonely can do that to you and Valentine’s Day is one day that actually goes out of its way to rub your single status in your face.

Then come the patronizing articles that tell you how to survive Valentine’s Day as a single person. You’re encouraged to buy yourself flowers, hang out with like-minded friends who do not celebrate this day, treat yourself to chocolate, a solo spa date even.  Whether you celebrate this day or you’re trying to run away from it, the truth of the matter is that the commercialism of it all ends up taking over everything. You buy love to celebrate it and you buy peace to get away from it.

Oh dear! I thought I’d said I won’t get cynical but I’m getting carried away. Anyway, to end this trial and tribulation of mine, I’ve decided to make some brilliant memories with my kids. It’s half term weekend so I’m going to make the most of this weekend with them.

I do hope you have a lovely Valentine’s Day and it may sound clichéd and it may be something single people like me love to say on this day but you don’t just need one single day in the entire year to show your love to someone. You can do it on any day and make it just as special.

Happy Valentine’s Day!