Single Awareness Day

By Pearl Wong

Valentine's Day is one of those holidays that you find yourself either loving or hating depending on whether you are in a relationship that year.

If you were single on Valentines day than the only thing you had to celebrate was your lack of a valentine.

To the single people out there: did you brag to your couple-y friends about how no one expected you to buy flowers or cook a romantic dinner in order to prove how much you love your other half? Did you then go on a rant about how people don't need a day like Valentine's Day? Did you say things like, "Seriously, if you really love each other, why don't you give each other flowers every day?"

Really, why don't we? Aside from the fact that flowers are kind of expensive and start to wilt within a week (even when you tenderly place them in a vase with water), why don't we show our love for others every day?

Personally, I love showing my affection on any given day — especially if it means giving a free hug.

And while I may not have the best track record on the Feb. 14's of every year with my past partners, I think my moments of spontaneity might just be worth more than a dozen overpriced red roses. But that's just my opinion.

Of course, Valentine's Day may be a much-needed alarm clock for those who have taken their significant others for granted, but it doesn't have to be.

For couples, Valentine's Day could just be a particularly goofy day of pillow-fighting in San Francisco. Or, Feb. 14 could be just a silly Hallmark day, so let's do nothing out of the ordinary — after I give you this super cute teddy bear you can barely lift off the ground.

So, to the couples out there who have traversed the rough waters of high expectations on Valentine's Day — congratulations. We know how tough life can be when everybody you know planned to send red roses or take their significant other to a restaurant in Santana Row.

But take heart, single people. While Feb. 14 has come and gone, there are still 364 days of the year where you might find that person you'll spend Feb. 14, 2013 with.

Whether you have a budding crush on a current classmate or there is someone you've "liked liked" since freshman year, there is no harm in telling them that you wish neither of you had been stuck celebrating Single Awareness Day this year.

Pearl Wong is a senior economics major.