February 14^th has always been a date of no particular significance to me – sometimes it’s been a day to remind me how single I am and on other occasions made me thankful that I am single and that I can enjoy the company of not one but several admirers. I guess it’s because I used to worry that the first person I met would be the one I ended up with. I couldn’t fathom not having an opportunity to experience everything everyone else. The thought of settling down and acknowledging this date as “important” made me cringe and seeing people caught up in the day me sick to my stomach.

Now I can look back at my old self and realize I am a completely different person, the times have changed and so has my outlook on this holiday. Today, this particular date means I have the ability to see the one I love most. After over 2 years of conflicting schedules and little quality time dictated by over 500 miles between us, lots of Skype dates but few sporadic kisses, we are finally able to share this moment in time by each other’s side.

 In the end I did get my share of experiences but when I met him and he looked in my eyes, it all changed and it was no longer a fear or not getting to experience something else but rather a fear of having to experience something without him. I guess this is why I’ve caught myself worried that I’m letting this hype about an overall insignificant day get to me. After all if we love someone we shouldn’t pick this one day to show it but instead opt to tell them every day, right? But then I realize the exhilaration I feel for today isn’t because I have someone to spend it with – though it helps – and it’s not about what I used to think or what other people think at all. It’s celebrating enduring love and LOTS of work – long distance is awful – but more importantly it’s one more excuse to tell him I love him and one more excuse to celebrate what we have.

I guess you could say I’ve joined the club of the hopeless romantics and with that the lucky few who understand this feeling and need one more reason to celebrate it.