S.A.V.D.

There was once a time that I was so frustrated with the concept of Valentine's Day - that cursed day out of the year that it was rubbed in my face how tragically single I was - that I formed an unofficial committee in protest: Singles Against Valentine's Day, or S.A.V.D. (pronounced "saved") for short.

If that sounds like a dreadfully middle school thing to do, that was because I was in middle school. I grumbled to myself (and to any other transient members of the club that happened to lend an ear) and was an overall unappreciator of all things pink, heart, candy, et cetera. Sounds kind of annoying, actually, doesn't it? Common sense prevailed a few years later, when I started to understand that there was nothing overtly criminal about people wanting to celebrate being with the ones they love.

Why oh why, then, do some of my fellow twentysomethings still grasp for days when S.A.V.D. was a Thing one could embrace? (Hint: It doesn't look attractive when you seethe, darling.)

So, armed with my scant amount of advice, let me drop some knowledge on y'all:

To those of you without a romantic involvement this Valentine's Day: Chin up. It's only one day. Desperation and fervent, angry hissing about the holiday won't do you any favors. And yes, you can look desperate to the outside world without meaning to. Check your thoughts, your emotions, and dust off your shoulders because you are fabulous, hon. (You're only not fabulous if you think your entire sense of self-worth is only validated by having a main squeeze on February 14th.)

To those of you lucky souls that have a sweetie this Valentine's Day: We get it. You love your honey pie, your sugar lips, your widdle schnookie bear (and you'll wuv them forever and ever and ever and ever). We're even glad she slaved over a hot stove to prepare an impossible meal after a hard day's work. Hooray, he went to Tiffany & Co and bought you something outrageous. Good for you, seriously. Remember this, though: Valentine's Day shouldn't be celebrated once a year if you have someone you love in your life. Love them all day, every day. That's the beautiful stuff right there. (Oh, and be mindful of how you're making your single friends feel with every lovey-dovey, gushy tweet/Facebook update.)

Moral of the story: Love one another. If it's good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for you. Just don't be shovin' that lovin' in the faces of those that don't care for your gushin'. Dig?