From serenading your date in class to buying them extravagant gifts to show off in school, Valentine’s Day has always been an eventful day for high school students. 

That’s why this year, it’s particularly disappointing that the holiday falls on a Saturday. For single students, however, this might come as more of a relief. 

I’ll admit – as a freshman last year, and coming from a middle school that did nothing of the sort, seeing a choir come in and sing to somebody’s date felt surreal. 

It was probably embarrassing for the serenade-ee, but for the rest of the class? Awesome.

While it is sad to lose all the school activities surrounding Valentine’s Day, the weekend date doesn’t ruin the holiday. 

Valentine’s Day is a silly, fun event to celebrate with your significant other, but it’s also about love. That is, after all, how it’s branded. It’s important to keep that in mind. 

If you’re sighing about a Saturday Valentine’s Day, consider this: are you buying the gifts to look good in front of your friends, or to show actual appreciation for your partner?

If you’re lonely on the 14th, go out with a friend, and have fun! 

You would’ve bought them a song and candy for the laughs on a school day, but you could actually spend the weekend together, too. I have a friend who has a tradition of eating Popeyes on Valentine’s Day – so get creative with your celebrations! Galentine’s Day is a great way to spend the day. 

When you’re surrounded by friends in relationships, it’s easy to forget that love comes in so many forms.

My takeaway? 

Valentine’s Day doesn’t always emphasize love or dates, but it should. 

Regardless of the day, take a second to remind yourself of the people you love instead of buying a new pillow because it’s heart shaped or feeling sorry for yourself because you don’t have a date. 

We can be thankful outside of November, and this holiday is the perfect opportunity. I will miss the singing, though. To whoever did that, you guys were awesome. •