It may only last 24 hours, but it is the weeks preceding the dreaded V-Day that conjures up those familiar images; flowers arriving to the office and they are not for you, women running around with big sparkly rings on their bony fingers beaming that they've said yes, other women finding someone special a week before V-Day and bragging about it, and the other single girls who, like you, listen patiently, rolling their eyes at the high-pitched squeals and wincing at the sudden invasion of the wedding magazines.
It is only one day out of year but for the single girl it can be a nightmare. Why should only one day be set aside for showering love onto someone special? Shouldn't you have the right to give flowers whenever you want? These are just a few of the common questions put forth by the single girl at this time of year. We can roll our eyes and sneer all we want but it will never make Valentine's Day go away.
But we can get through it together! Here are some things that might help you through the sugarcoated day.
* If Valentine's Day lands on a workday and you have holiday hours accrued, then take the day off. This will help to alleviate the migraine you will get from the overpowering scent of roses, chocolate, the cooing and ahhhing when the flowers arrive, the influx of phone-calls, and those older women who look at you with pity as your desk lay void of flowers and cards.
* If you do worry about being the empty' desk at work, and you are only going along with Valentine's Day because you want to show that it doesn't bother you in the least, then order yourself some flowers a few days before, no card needed. You know who sent them and why.
* Ignore this day as being one for the lovers' and insist that it is just another normal day, and that you have no idea what they are going on and on about, and would they please stop offering you chocolate out of a stupid heart-shaped box.
* Make up an imaginary partner who is in the Peace Corps and does not have access to a phone or writing materials but that you can sense his/her love for you without having a special day anointed for it.
* Act like you are being taken out to dinner that evening without ever having to open your mouth. Grinning like an idiot when someone asks 'if you are doing something special for the evening' will let everyone within a six feet radius know that you have something romantic planned because they will all be staring at you. Finish this off with an affirmative nod of the head and you will never need to explain where'.
* When someone approaches you late in the afternoon after all the flowers have been delivered and your desk is still devoid of color, and he or she looks at you pitifully, immediately ask them if everything is ok or has something untoward happened?' Your proactive approach will distract them from feeling sorry for you and prevent them from tilting their head to the side and saying something inappropriate like no one special in your life sweetie?'
* In regards to the above, if you do not get a chance to ask first because you have stuffed your mouth full of chocolate caramels, finish chewing and wave them off with a well practiced I'm actually allergic to flowers.' Then smile, shrug your shoulders sweetly, and turn your back on them. There are only a few hours left to make it through the workday so be full of cheer at this time!
* Be overjoyed for those women who did get flowers, rings, chocolate, a surprise trip to Bahamas, a new car, or romantic dinner planned. Really lay it on thick. The more overjoyed you are towards them, the less likely they will ask well what about you' because they will be too busy talking about their gifts and plans that you could walk away and they wouldn't even notice.
* On the way home from work, buy yourself flowers or take yourself out to dinner, or when you get home order a pizza, etc. Rent a horror film like The Shining, or documentary on quilt making, anything that has nothing to do with love or the feeling of love, or being in love, or talking about love. It will make the evening go by faster. And eat all of the pizza, no use letting it sit in the fridge.
* Do not think of what your ex got you last year, or what he/she didn't get you last year. And rest in the knowledge that they will be getting their come-uppings' sometime soon. And if you broke up with them, then all the more reason to celebrate being single on Valentine's Day. Think of all the fun you have had since then!
* The morning after' go into work with a huge smile on your face. This is a great day for the single girl as you will be treated to hearing all about the romantic dinners turned sour, the engagements called off, the flowers that never arrived, the really bad fights, the horrible break-ups, the gifts tossed into the garbage along with the most recent copy of Bride magazine. This will give you leave to ponder on how easy it is for this over-advertised-in-your-single-face-pink-and-red-str iped 24 hour day can change the course of romantic histories.
* Last step: Never ever be ashamed of your single status on any given holiday.
* Extra last step: Create your own Single Person's Day' complete with congratulatory cards, flowers, movie passes, exquisite dinners, and a few nice bottles of wine. And my, won't your attached friends be jealous!
Here's to you, single girl, on this day of all days! And if we, by any chance, do eventually become attached, we will look back on this day with mild amusement and reminisce about how we used to dread it. However, I do suggest that you save a copy of this article to your hard drive just in case.