The Most Romantic Night Ever

Liza on why Valentines Day is really wasted on couples.

By Liza Persky

I got an email from my friend Donna today that said, "Do you wanna go to an anti-Valentines day party with me on the 12th?  It's called: The Big Screw: Who needs love when you have booze and beer pong?

First of all, until you've actually BEEN to one of these things, you really can't believe that, as sucky as being single is, these kind of events actually make you feel worse than EVER. 

I went to one once, and ended up hiding in the bathroom from some sad guy who had taken a liking to me and was carrying around a stack of papers like Russell Crowe in "A Beautiful Mind." I wasn't sure what was on those papers but I wouldn't have been surprised if it was some sort of dossier titled, "Women  I loved...TO DEATH!"

The other annoying thing about this invite from my Donna is that it's on the 12th.  What kind of dumb planning is that?  If I'm attending an, "Anti-Valentines Day Party," wouldn't it be safe to assume that the 14th is WIDE OPEN?

But as much as February 14th becomes a day you fear when you're single do you wanna know who really dreads it?  New couples.  I mean talk about pressure. This is, by most accounts, the Most Romantic Night of your year.  It's where everyone has to show their significant other how they really feel, and make it count.  Who needs the pressure?  I worry about how my hair looks on a dusty Tuesday, God forbid humidity is high on the 14th.

We all know that Valentines Day is a Hallmark Holiday at this point, and it's marketed to make us feel like we should be doing something special, not that we want to.  If you're curious to know how truly unimportant Valentines Day is in the world of love and companionship, you know who you should ask?  A married person.  I called my sister, who's been happily married ten years and asked her what she's doing for Valentines Day, and she said, "When is it?"  

My friend Sarah who's been married 12 years has big plans for dinner and drinks on Valentines Day, with her college girlfriends.  

And when I called my oldest friend Maggie who's been with her husband Bob for 15 years she said, "Liza, with Bob every day is Valentines Day," before I could hang up on her she laughed and said she was kidding.  She was pretty sure she'd be home alone since Bob is traveling.

So while all my married girlfriends are as interested in Valentines Day as they are about the upcoming schedule for Ultimate Cage Fighting, and new couples are feeling the pressure to come up with the most romantic and meaningful night of their lives,
I'll be happy if my deli guy Mohammad gives me free bag of Licorice Nibs like he did last year.  That really meant a lot to me, and unlike so many people who take their boyfriends and girlfriends for granted, that little gesture stayed with me all year.  In fact, when it comes down to it, Valentines Day is really wasted on couples, it's us singles out there who can take a little piece of chewy candy and turn it into the most romantic night ever.