I didn’t want to post something about Valentine’s Day (or
as I like to call it: Singles Awareness Day – and yes, the acronym is SAD), so
hence I am only posting something about it a week later.
On a Saturday I usually wake up, say good morning to my
parents in the kitchen and my mom makes me a cup of coffee. I then take it to
the lounge with me and sit on the couch watching TV for a while. However,
during one of the advert breaks I was staring out the window at the bird feeder
watching the pigeons flap about when all of a sudden they scattered. Something
they usually do when they’re spooked by the dogs or a passing car. A little further
down the garden I noticed a blur of red gently floating down and disappear from
view. Curiously I went outside to see what it was. Low and behold there was a
red balloon with white hearts all over it laying on the grass. Smiling, I
picked it up and went back inside. Rather than choosing to logically believe
that the balloon had detached itself from some post at some Valentines event nearby
and chosen to land in my garden, I announced to the family that my prince had
sent me a balloon from a faraway land to say that he’s sorry he’s running late
but he will be there as soon as he can. The much more deflated balloon is still
resting beside my bed.
The point of this story dear reader is not that I am ‘sad’
and ‘lonely’ because I’m single, or that a silly old balloon made me happy on Valentine’s
Day – but rather what I made the silly old balloon symbolise. I made it
symbolize the fact that I know my special someone will come along some day. I’m
trying to steer away from the typical cliché that friends in a relationship tell
their single friends “Aww you’ll find somebody.” I get sick and tired of
hearing that phrase but the fact remains that it’s true. However, I do prefer
to say that he will eventually find me.
My best friend (who is in a relationship) and I used to
joke about the fact that our princes were probably stuck in a tree somewhere
and unable to get down while their noble steeds stared at them from below as if
to say “Come on, man! She’s waiting and we’re already late!”
I loved that. But now her prince whom she loves and adores
and who loves and adores her too, found her. And here I am still waiting for
mine to come round the corner puffing and panting and apologizing profusely for
being so incredibly tardy. But I know that when he does I won’t care about how
long it took him. I’ll just let him sweep me off my feet and we’ll ride off
into the sunset on the back of his horse. Okay, that is cheesy… I prefer
motorbike… but that’s beside the point.
I’ve always had friends and family members who are in a
relationship, more so than they ever are single. I’ll be honest. I get jealous.
How come it is so easy for them to find someone? Or how come someone keeps
finding them? But one thing my mom always tells me that gives me great comfort
is that I’ve probably not had a lot of boyfriends because when I eventually do
have one, he’ll be the guy I marry.
Isn’t that sweet? To some of you reading this, you might
find that corny and pathetic, but to me it means that I don’t have to go
through heartache and pain if that is the case. The only problem is though… he’s
taking forever and I’m bored of being single. It’s not like I want to get
married tomorrow. No, of course not! Don’t think I do. But it’s being in a relationship
itself that inspires love and unselfish caring for another person. If this isn’t
the case in a relationship… then it’s not a relationship. Even if your prince
or princess will not become your King or Queen later in life. What’s that other
annoying phrase people say to try and make you cheer up after a break-up? “It
is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” Ah. I’m not
being cynical about relationships. If it comes across that way I do apologize. All
I’m saying it that those in a relationship are each other’s special person or
other half for this time being. So it must be treasured. Whether it lasts
forever or not. And if a couple have found their permanent love, the one who
will become their King or Queen, then congrats to them. My prince one day will
be the luckiest guy out there because I know I’d treat him so right.
So as I sit here on my couch next to my sleeping puppy, I’m
trying to get myself to realize that I should be happy about those who are in
relationships. Even if their prince or princess is not to be their King or
Queen, at least they are happy while it lasts. So ultimately, to anyone who is
in a good relationship and is happy to brag about it with pictures and loving
posts splashed all over Facebook – Happy Valentine’s Day! This day is dedicated
to you. After all… love is what makes the world go round.