Valentine’s Day is upon us once again. And as this day approached I heard the usual laments of my fellow “Singletons.” Laments of how unfair it is they are alone as they are bombarded with images of loving couples that seem to shout, “THIS DAY IS FOR US AND YOU SINGLE LOSERS CAN GO SUCK LEMONS!!”

Interviews on the morning news today talked about how difficult a day this is for singles. And perhaps this can be a good time to “take stock” in their lives and what they want to change, blah, blah, blah.

BULLSHIT!

Valentine’s Day IS NOT a day for couples! It is a day for ALL human beings to say to each other “I love you! I appreciate you! I adore you! I am so glad & lucky to have you in my life!”

Yes, St. Valentine is the patron saint of lovers who supposedly married couples in secret during the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius II. But what St. Valentine was truly saying in his act of civil disobedience is that love cannot and will not be denied. It comes in many forms and is to be shared with one another, for God IS love and when shared, we can be a part of God’s Grace.

So what does this have to do with loving yourself?

Everything.

Loving those around you begins with you. By loving yourself first, you are able to love others more deeply, fully and with immense passion. The longest and truest relationship you will ever have is with yourself. With love comes respect, devotion, honor, strength, courage and passion. Things you want to find in that someone you hope to share your life with. If you cannot find those things in yourself, you will not find them in others. It will not be reciprocated on demand, for love is a type of mirror-magnet reflecting our inner selves as it draw closer those who share similar qualities.

So go and LOVE YOURSELF! Remind yourself that you are an amazing person! Buy yourself flowers, jewelry, chocolate, a day at the spa or even an awesome pair of shoes! I did! Why? Because I’m fantastic damn it! Single or not!