Let’s face it, for those that are single, Valentine’s Day can be one of the loneliest and longest days of the year, especially as you lead up to the day. We have all been there at some point in our lives.
I remember early on in my dating life, getting ready for a date and buying the perfect dress and making plans with a young man to go out to dinner. I was so excited, new dress, perfect hair and a great day to go out for dinner for two at a romantic place. This was my boyfriend that I had been dating a year. My pick up time was 5pm for reservations at 6pm. I was ready on time and sat in the living room waiting with my parents for my date to arrive. As I sat there waiting 5:05pm came, 5:15pm came, I thought this is strange he is never late, he as a matter of fact was always early. I thought maybe he got stuck in traffic since he had recently moved three towns away from our house. I called and no answer. I waited and waited. My parents knew right away something was not right but they tried to remain supportive through the wait as they watched their daughter’s soon to be happy face turn to tears. Finally at 6:30pm, mom and dad said , ” I am sorry that he never came.” I was devastated.
I threw on a jacket and some boots over my dress and said I am going out for a drive. I ended up at the local arcade to just hang out and play games alone. It was pretty quite as most kids were either out on dates or just home too embarrassed to be seen without a date.
Just when I was about to leave, I saw a friend of mine we will call him “Jake” and he asked what I was doing there all dressed up (although a jean jacket and boots over a nice dress is kind of the fashion crime of the day!), I sheepishly replied that I was stood up. He looked at me and said, “let’s go hang out for a bit, you can’t be dateless on a night like this.” Everything was already packed being Valentine’s Day or too expensive for kids on a budget, so we ended up at Chuck E. Cheese (don’t laugh!). We were the only ones in the show section of the place as by this time it was almost 8:30pm at night. The manager brought us some pizza and a flower vase with a red rose in it and said you kids enjoy. We put coins in the juke box to play songs and danced to a few fun songs and a slow dance. We laughed and I felt better at not having to spend Valentine’s Day alone. My friend “Jake” turned one of the most romantic days of the year in to a friend date that I would remember and treasure forever.
“Jake” and I were friends so there was never any sparks there. A few years later he met a wonderful girl and got married right after college. As for the guy that stood me up, I found out that he had met someone else when he moved away and he started dating her at the same time as me and well the rest is history.
So on this Valentine’s Day, do not feel alone if you do not have a special someone to be with. Make it a girlfriend’s night out, or pamper yourself with a massage, pedicure, facial or a good book to read and celebrate you. Love yourself!
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