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My Best Valentine's Day Ever
10 singles share treasured memories of the Day of Love
February 6, 2008
My Valentine Family
At the approach of Valentine's Day last year, I was mired in sadness and self-pity. I decided I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself and find a way to express love for somebody else. God brought to mind a family from church, and they became my valentines for the day. I crocheted scarves for this couple and their four kids. As I made the scarves, I reflected on the good times I'd shared with this family and how much they'd made me feel loved. In the process, God reminded me of all the love surrounding me, even as a single person. And I got to bless a great family in my life.
-Rachelle
Precious and Violent
Since I'm 28 and have never celebrated Valentine's Day with a special someone, I've always treated the holiday as "Wear Black Day." However, last year was my best V-Day ever. I was working with special-needs kindergarteners, and their innocent love for me was absolutely precious. I'll keep the Valentine's Day cards bearing their scribbled names forever! Then that night, since my single girlfriends and I'd decided we couldn't pass the day in mourning and self-pity, eight of us went to an NHL hockey game. What better way to spend a romantic holiday as a single person than to watch men beat each other up on ice?
-Stephanie
A SAD Weekend
Five years ago, after I'd moved away from my friends, a group of single girlfriends came to visit me for a SAD (Singles Awareness Day) weekend. It was anything but sad! We gave each other pedicures, dressed up and went to a fancy dinner, watched sappy movies, exchanged gifts, and shared lots of laughs. One friend bought cheesy valentine fortunes for us. We ditched those and had a blast writing our own. The weekend was a great reminder that I don't have to be married to feel loved; I don't have to wait for someone else to bring me fun and happiness. We singles can create it for each other—and for ourselves.
-Tawnya
Flying High
Years ago in college, I dated a wonderful woman named Sandy. I wanted Valentine's Day to be special. So I picked Sandy up for our date and took her to a freshly washed and waxed Cessna C172. I escorted her to the passenger seat and told her if she didn't want to fly, I also had reservations at a local restaurant.
But she climbed aboard, and I taxied the pretty little Cessna smoothly to the runway. Before long, we lifted gently into the crisp sunset. After we landed, we drove to dinner in a courtesy van from the restaurant. On the way, we realized we were going to the same restaurant where Sandy had her high school prom!
After a delicious dinner and cozy conversation, we headed for home in the frigid air. As we drove to her apartment, she said she never knew flying could be just like sitting in her living room, only with a view of five states. Later that evening, she accepted my marriage proposal, giving us six wonderful years together before she went home to be with the Lord.
-Walter
The Cookie Cupid
Several years ago, I worked at a small company that employed many singles straight out of college. With Valentine's Day approaching, I felt down until I realized I could brighten my coworkers' day. I baked several dozen cookies and packaged them with bright bows and "Happy Valentine's Day!" tags. Then I stayed late at work the night before the holiday, and I placed cookies in the mailbox or on the desk of every unmarried man in the company.
The next day was so much fun listening to everyone trying to figure out the Cookie Cupid's identity. I kept up my alter ego the entire time I worked at that company, and not once did I dread Valentine's Day. In retrospect, I wish I'd given something to my single female colleagues as well. Nothing brightens up a day devoted to love like a little mystery and a sweet treat!
-Tami
Hey, Baby!
Last year was my best Valentine's Day ever. I was in a hospital watching the birth of my first grandchild. So, I may have been a single woman, but I'd never had any Valentine's Day beat that blessed event. I just wish I lived closer to my daughter's family so I could see that sweet little boy every week. Who needs a date when she has grandchildren?
-Angel
Feast of Love
Three years ago, my church's young-adult group began an annual "Agape Feast" on Valentine's Day. The first year was my best Valentine's Day ever. As a leadership-team member, I directed a team to plan and prepare the food. We decorated the meeting room with tablecloths, china and glassware (from our fabulous church families!), streamers, and candles.
The feast was amazing. The women enjoyed dressing in semi-formal wear, visiting with everyone, and receiving compliments from the men. The men loved the great food! They also liked hanging out together. And even if they weren't crazy about getting dressed up, they enjoyed receiving the ladies' compliments on their snazzy suits.
At the end of the evening, I was weary to the bone, but thankful for the opportunity to laugh, talk, and celebrate a lasting agape love with believers.
-Laura
Girls' Night In
My best Valentine's Day wasn't with a guy, but with a group of the best girls on Earth. After years of hating the day, we decided to celebrate it. I love hosting dinner parties, so I made fettuccine alfredo and cheesecake and covered my table in a red tablecloth and red and pink flower petals. We ate off my best china and drank from crystal goblets. We had candlelight and nice background music. Throughout the evening we laughed, talked, and simply had a great time. None of us even cared she was sitting across from a girlfriend instead of Mr. Right. Of course, I don't want to spend the rest of my Valentine's Days with my girlfriends, but I'll never forget that one night.
-Kristi
A Symbolic Celebration
A few years ago, I met a man on a Christian dating site and was well on my way to marrying him. Then around New Year's Eve, I suddenly realized I wouldn't be a good partner for him, since he had traditional gender-role "perfect behavior" expectations, and I'm adventurous, free-spirited, and independent. So we broke up.
That following Valentine's Day, my widowed friend and I went out for coffee at a local mall. Sadly, we were the only patrons; everyone else was celebrating the day. After drinking our coffee, we walked around the mall, and found a Red Hat Society store. Everything in it was purple and/or red. My ex had forbidden me to join this group. So now that I was free from his control, and as a symbolic celebration of who I am, I bought a beautiful red felt hat with red and purple ribbons and feathers.
This act was a turning point for me. I understood I had to retain my free-spirited, spontaneous personality, even if at the expense offinding another relationship. Thankfully, I did find love again—on the same website where I met my ex! And this new man and I've built a strong relationship.
-Emily
Four Men and a Lady
Last year, my first home-group meeting was on February 14. As a group, we decided to go out for dinner without realizing the date. The three other girls in my group were out of town, so I went out with four guys! Nothing about that night was romantic, but they made me feel special. One guy even gave me a box of chocolates. I might ask if the singletons in my church want to do a similar evening again this year.
-Nessa
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