Valentine’s Day. Who is going to get the biggest arrangement of flowers? Whose boyfriend has the biggest surprise planned for them? Couples count down until the day dedicated to affection, pollen, and sugar arrives, but for people who don’t have a Valentine, they are typically counting down the days until February 15.

The couples in the school can be easily found on a regular day by simply walking down the halls during passing periods. They are typically leaned against a wall, talking and showing affection, or walking together. For Valentine’s Day, this daily affection is multiplied by at least a solid ten- for 24 hours, out comes the chivalry and inner Nicholas Sparks personas.

Being around all these couples when single is an interesting process. At first, the response to the romantic ways of a couple is a murmmur of “aww,” and a smile in their direction. But give it a minute, and the single bystander will start thinking to themself, ”Wow, they are so cute and I’m sitting over here, forever alone…” The once oh-so-cute couples no longer seem as adorable.

After this epiphany, the grudge begins to form.  It feels like all the people that are in these relationships are flaunting their wonderful love life in everyone else faces. The inner hatred for Valentine’s Day inside all singles suddenly arises. The ice cream and chocolate come out, and single friends gather together to mourn their lonely lives.

Granted, the young age of highschoolers makes it ridiculous for us to complain about our “forever lonely” lives. In all honesty, all the couples that are together most likely won’t last forever and will soon be alone themselves- but on February 14, with hearts and chocolates and teddy bears being exchanged all around, that doesn’t make it any easier.

The key to get through the dreaded day is to remember that everyone has to be alone at some point in time. This day isn’t longer than any of the others, and you can still make the best of the day.