Feb. 14: Single Person’s Awareness Day

Single Person’s Awareness Day, sometimes known as St. Valentine’s Day, is quickly approaching and if you weren’t aware of your relationship status, it should be glaringly obvious on Sunday. Which is why we should all go back to elementary school. If you attended my son’s elementary school, you would be relieved to see that they have dumped St. Valentine’s Day for the new and improved, “Friendship Day”. In fact, in my 4th grade kid’s class, they aren’t even allowed to give candy. Try finding cards at Target without candy. It’s… un-Valentine!  It’s like not having candy on Halloween! Oh, wait. That was the Kindergartener’s rule on Halloween. What is this world coming to??

Back to your relationship status. And the media. Ever seen those commercials with the dolled-up couple at a fine dining establishment and the man pulls out a velvet black box, pops it open – while his gal’s eyes pop as well- and presents her with a rock the size of Gibraltar? Mounted on a platinum band? Has that been you? Has that been anyone you know? If so, more power to you. If not, welcome to the real world.

That has not been me. After 16 years of marriage, you’d think that could have been me- at least once! Just kidding- I’m doubtful that’s what makes or breaks a marriage or relationship. I’m sure it would be fun – but not what builds the foundation and sees you through the day-to-day, year by year.

The first gift from my beloved was a weighted jump-rope. It was green and, obviously, heavy. I was on a health kick in college, deathly afraid of those freshman 15 (pounds) right through the junior year and the jump-rope was perfect. I had eyed it at the sporting goods place and taken up stadium stair running and the Buns of Steel video (go ahead, laugh) and fiber. No plain old jump-rope for this exercise maniac! And I usually take off my jewelry when I exercise, so a big fat diamond from Tiffany’s would have been silly and a waste on me.

Maybe you’ll be that lucky Valentine that gets a car on the 14th- a shiny, new mobile with the big floppy red bow. If so, take me with you for the first joy ride. If not, laugh along with me at the media and the message they’re trying to sell us. In my world, we talk about big purchases and come to a consensus. And I’m the controlling type that would want to have a say in the color and extra add-ons, so the surprise car would never fly with me. And I’d want to have my name on the paperwork, too. Not very romantic, but that’s how we operate and it seems to have worked well so far.

There’s a lot of pressure to live up to the media’s mythical concept of St. Valentine’s Day and even when we say we’re above it all, perhaps there’s a little nagging voice that says, “But I wanted the romantic dinner, jewelry and element of surprise like in the movies and on commercials!” and that’s all good and fine. But if you happen to be in a healthy, supportive relationship the other 364 days of the year or are in a healthy, supportive relationship now, isn’t that better than just one day of bells and whistles?

And for all my single friends, I’m sorry Single Person’s Awareness Day exists and I’d be more than happy to go to Sports Authority with you and pick out a lovely weighted jump-rope that will last way beyond February 14th and give you killer triceps and biceps! Or candy. You can’t go wrong with chocolate. I'd even help you eat it.

Much love to y’all!