Love Means Nothing?

And I've always dreamed

That love would be effortless

Like a petal fallin' to the ground

A dreamer followin' his dream

Looks like anti-Valentine's day is a go for yet another year! For those of you who have had significant others for quite a while now would not be able to identify with the anger and spite a single person feels towards couples when the dreaded V-day comes. Having just realized that it is a mere month from my future favorite 'holiday' and being fully inspired by some friends' recent stories, among other events, I have but one question: what ever happened to giving out valentines? Back in elementary school, everything was so simple. For those of you who had no interest in the opposite gender back then, it was even more simple. Give everyone in your class something with a heart on it on February 14th. Okay, okay, write their name and yours on it too, but really, it's got to be one of the easiest things; so why not keep that tradition after elementary school?

For those of you who do not follow tennis at all, here's something I just learned last night while watching "Wimbledon" : love means nothing. Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely a romantic at heart. In fact, my mom jokes that I was born liking boys, but there are times when I am greatful that I'm not in a relationship. I see people around me seeking love eagerly, only to end with a broken heart. The word "love" is used enough that it almost does mean nothing. A male attempting to make a female swoon says, "I love you," when he does not fully mean it. Or someone (especially myself) exclaiming, "I love [insert name/object]!" Our culture has ruined this beautiful, sacred word.

My brother remarked that girls shouldn't watch romance movies because they tend to build up fantasies about what love is like when, in actuality, it's nothing similar to what they imagine. Having him actually verbalize one of my own thoughts left me wondering whether I should watch any movies with love scenes ever again. It's so true though, girls fantasize about being in love...well, I shouldn't generalize that statement, I fantasize about being in love often. As great as it feels to not be attached to anyone, there is that longing for a partner that every living being has at one point or another. Nevertheless, Valentine's Day approaches and every person who is single braces themselves for the mess of PDA, chalky valentine candy, and bunches of heart cut-outs. Maybe instead of fearing this celebration of love, we should instead embrace it in hopes that we can someday enjoy it.

Still dreaming of Prince Charming,

Anna