Notice: This blog entry is completely ignoring the happy, sought after folk who are deeply in love and cannot relate to petty issues such as loneliness.

Valentine’s Day is yet another reminder to single’s at Middletown High School that they are lonely, less sought after and unworthy of chocolate and kisses.

High school dances are always great reminders, as well. There are three dances each year: Homecoming, Winter Formal and Prom (for the upperclassmen.) All of these occasions are presented as fun, exciting and anticipated events for the student body. If we look deeper, we often find high anxiety, high expenses and sadly, high disappointment.

February has to be the worst month of the year for a single person at MHS. The weather is dreary, Valentine’s Day comes halfway through the month and it ends with Winter Formal. Sad. Pathetic. Lonely. Depressed. Single people.

Now, however, I realize that not having a date to the dance isn’t the end of the world. In fact, I enjoy going to dances unaccompanied, because it elicits a certain freedom and liberation within me. Also, going with friends can be fun and carefree.

But there is something about the month of February that rubs all the loneliness into my pores and nags at my clear completion until I find myself distraught and depressed gazing though my window pane into the wintery abyss.

Valentine’s Day. It’s just so awful. In my eyes, we are celebrating my loneliness and congratulating those who are happy, like keep up the great work, you must be important because SOMEONE LOVES YOU!

Blah. The injustice, why don’t we have single’s day where single people go out and proclaim their freedom from the evil’s of high school relationships like jealousy, envy, overprotection and losing all your friends.

Yeah, that’s a grand idea. This year I’m taking a new perspective. I’m going to concentrate on the reasons I’m not in a relationship. Dig deep and bring to mind all the problems I’m avoiding in my wisdom to steer clear of toxic relationships.

Let us brainstorm: I can talk to whoever I want without accusations or assumptions. I can wear whatever I want because there’s no one to impress. I can like multiple people without feeling guilty. I never have to spend my money on someone for special occasions. I’m at no risk of hurting someone for not feeling the same way. I keep all my friends and invest my time in what I choose. I never have to worry about being protective or keeping tabs on someone because I don’t care what they do. I can have bad days for no reason without having to explain myself to a nagging significant other. I don’t have to fight with my parents about time spent with a love interest. I’m allowed to meet tons of people and act myself at all times without feeling stupid.

Wow. That makes me feel so much better. This Valentine’s Day I’m going to smile at all the adoring couples gazing at each other and snicker to myself. I can avoid every relationship complication and still eat all the chocolate I want. HA HA!