February is beginning but I’m afraid all things Valentine’s has begun long before February 1. Wonderful single people, I’m sorry that the world is putting you through this. It’s a stupid holiday.

Much has been written on how a liturgical celebration to honor martyrs named Valentine became this stupid holiday. Google for that research. We can “thank” Hallmark. We can “thank” the flower industry. We can “thank” the diamond industry. Do you notice how every one of those want to make money off of you? As well as the restaurant industry and the clothing industry who want to take your dollars so YOU can have a special Valentine’s Day. The special Valentine’s Day that is really desired is the profits. None of those things sound like a liturgical celebration.

Yet so many of you, readers, won’t participate in Valentine’s Day. You are single and will be missing out on this day yet again. Saving money does not really make you feel any better. And you hate reading that statement “you are single,” right? I hate that you hate that and I really want you to embrace this time of your life.

For now I want to declare, “I get it.” “You are not alone.” Just hating this holiday is not going to make it any easier. Hearing the truth about how even more lame this holiday becomes after you are married is not comforting right now.

I want you to be comforted. May these truths comfort you through the hype of the next few weeks.

• Something is not wrong with you.
• God is with you.
• You are single and that is good. That is so good. Do not waste a minute of your single years hiding yourself because you are single. These are some great years where God shows up big. These years have the possibility of being the years you talk about the most as you age in life.
• God is with you.
• You could have a date for Valentine’s Day and/or you could be with someone who is not good for you to get through the holiday. Either of those options are loser options. The trade-off is not worth it. Celebrate that you have better boundaries for yourself than settling for a relationship like this. Celebrate this stupid holiday that way.
• God is with you.
• Having a date on Valentine’s Day has nothing to do with your worthiness. The two cannot be further apart.
• God is with you.
• It’s okay to have a little vanity that Valentine’s Day doesn’t drag you down. You are awesome. You are so awesome that you don’t need a “Hallmark holiday” to define your awesomeness. You just are.
• God is with you.
• Something is not wrong with you.
• God is with you.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you. Let’s embrace this stupid season of pink and red and sparkles realizing how much you sparkled before this season.  Be brave.