Yes, it is that time of year once again! When lovers embrace their love to a greater extent and when singles lie lonely in beds, feeling sad, mad or they just don't give a shit.

Honestly, Valentine's is a pretty sweet holiday (no pun intended). I mean, you get to eat sweet candy and chocolates, you can get flowers or little stuffed animals, for yourself or for others. You can just go out with family or hang out at home with a friend.

My only problem is that...

There's more negative views on Valentine's Day than positive.

I mean, sure, you don't have a romantic partner to share the holiday with, but after a while all of the angst just gets kind of annoying.

Why sit around and complain about it when you can treat yourself?

You work hard at your job, at school, at home. So, why not pamper yourself with sweets or teddy bears or gay porn?

What?

I didn't say anything.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that Valentine's Day is not all about having a relationship. A Valentine doesn't have to be a romantic interest. It can be your best friend, your parent, your sibling, your frickin' grandma. Valentine's is a holiday to celebrate love and friendships, not to feel all of this angst just because you can't find "love".

I quote love because people's definitions of love are a bit strange. Love isn't just getting your crush to like you back. It isn't just relentlessly finding a date with a guy/girl. It isn't just romantic. For those who say they'll never find love, um, you've had it ever since you were born. You find love from your family and from your friends. We've grown up thinking that in order for us to find love, we have to date someone we're interested in. That's not all true.

Ah, but, E.L. what do you know about this? You just sit around on your phone or typing away at your computer writing a crappy lil' speech about Valentine's. You're an angsty teenager too.

Yes, I am. But, I'm also awesome, so..

And, you know that whole true love thing? Yeah, it's real. You know where I've found it? In my best friends. I love them with every fiber of my being and I would do anything to ensure their happiness. They mean the world to me and I would die for them.

Being open to your friend. Being able to understand their nonverbal cues that no one else seems to notice. Giving up your time and money for them. Being able to just sit around in silence and know that they enjoy your company and you enjoy theirs. Getting ready to throw down when someone fucks with them. Being able to release the most disgusting laugh around them. Watching Netflix and actually chilling, and also making stupid ass commentary about whatever you're watching. Making food for them. Being able to take their criticism that your food sucks ass. Being able to tell them that their food sucks ass when they cook. Starting meme wars just because ( *cough* still the meme lord *cough*). Crying in front of your friend because you couldn't hold everything up yourself and them telling you that that's okay. Wanting to call instead of text. Spending hours talking, texting or sending random pictures to them. Being able to take the ugliest selfie of yourself and sending it to them without any context. Hugging them and never wanting to let go. Laughing at your own jokes in front of them. Them laughing at you for laughing at your jokes but they still think you're cool. Supporting them for the changes they want to make to their lives. Getting excited by the very mention of their name. Missing them even though you saw them ten minutes ago. Feeling empty when they're gone. Playing video games and sucking and them making fun of you for it but you still love their bitch ass. Just being around them with a fluttery feeling of happiness in your chest.

All of this is true love. The openness, the closeness. The unseen connection that only you have and no one else can see it or come to understand it, yet they know it's strong. That is true love at it's pinnacle.

So, no, Valentine's isn't about going out with the "bae" or getting gifts from/for your romantic interest. It's a day for love of every kind. So go and love your mom and/or dad, your siblings, your best friend (s), your pet, and yeah, even wrinkly, ol' grandma and grandpa. You also matter so go ahead and love yourself, too. No matter how much life sucks or how much you belittle yourself, there will always be someone who loves you.

I'm not telling you how to spend your holiday, but I hope all of this is worth considering.

The truest love is always the one most neglected.

And, if it helps any, I'm sick on Valentine's. Got a stuffy nose, a somewhat dry throat and a raging headache every now and then. Even with this, I'm still gonna be the happiest piece of trash and make my mum and my best friends and my brother and my dog happy. Got them gifts and everything.

I'm a badass, I know.

(Not really.)

If this helps any too, I love you. You're beautiful and cool. Don't let anyone else tell you otherwise.

Also, enjoy this teddy bear.

And this dancing Winnie the Pooh.

Happy Valentine's Day, you lil' shit.