Valentine'sDayis a holidayfor everybody

friends at high-school decorated with the flowers and Valentine balloons their boyfriends would shower upon them this day of the year.

I would cry at one point of this day every year, wondering why I didn't have a guy who cared about me.

Shannon Downs

No matter where you go, there is no escaping the fact that one of the most outrageous holidays of the year is approaching yet again. Valentine's Day.

This Hallmark-created holiday has many people either anxious or reaching for their Motrin to relieve the headaches it causes them.

Once upon a time, I would dread seeing the lockers of my

That way, I would not feel like a moron as my friends waved their gifts m my face and to other girls.

Last year, I finally had a nice Valentine's Day. I was sent roses from the man who I really thought could have been the one. I was beaming the whole day. I thought that I had finally met my prince.

Recently, I came to realize that he was more of a toad than I realized. Oh well. The experience of my first Valentine's Day (and the whole experience with the relationship) just helped me put relationships and their importance in

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a new perspective.

Valentine's Day is just another day. Whether or not you have someone is nothing to fret over.

The nice thing about it is that there are no rules. I' 11be having my second great Valentine's Day this year.

I will be at the mall buying myself a stuffed animal or two, flowers and a box of candy.

And I'll proudly display them if anyone asks what I got for Valentine's Day.

I have a guy out there for me. We just have not met each other yet. And there are no rules that say you can't give the love of your life a head start if he hasn't come yet. So I will be having a great time on Valentine's Days from here on m.

When I do meet my knight in shining armor, he won't need a goofy day like that to tell me that

And Thumbs Down

Thumbs up to the Wood dinning services, because they finally started to offer better vegetarian-based meals. Or at least that is what they have said.

To the Denver Broncos for winning the Super Bowl and to John Elway for winning the game's Most Valuable Player.

Thumbs down to Mother Nature, because all she did was tease us with ice and snow the first week of school. Now there is nothing but rain and sunshine.

compiled by Joe Elliott perspectives editor he loves me and cares about me.

For those girls who do have someone, I am not trying to rain on your parade.

It's great that you have a guy to enjoy the day with.

But for those girls (such as myself) who do not, treat yourself for a change this Valentine's Day. There is a huge sea filled with fish.

I know I'll make a much better catch than the one I just threw back. I'm just happy I don't have something else to worry about besides classes right now.

It really is better to have loved and lost then to never have loved at all.

I will love again. If corning to all of these conclusions is all that I gain out of that whirlwind of a romance, I am happy that I expenenced it.

Time heals many things. even broken hearts. And as long as you trust and love yourself, that is all you need.

I am not embarrassed for the first time in my life that I am not a girl fortunate enough to have a man by my side right now.

I can afford to be picky. Wisdom and understanding of what I want and need will help me make the right choices.

Not all that glistens 1s gold. It will be easier for me to know if someone is too good to be true from here on in.

Though my prince charming has yet to come into my life, I can finally rest assured knowing that one little day of the year will not be the be-end-all until he does.

ShannonDownsis a juniormajoring in English/communication.Sheis a guestwriterfor Loquitur.

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