St. Valentine's Day is coming...a project idea for the singles in your life

[iwillrisenow]

As a single woman waiting on the Lord vocation-wise, St. Valentine’s Day often brings mixed emotions. This year, I thought of an idea that I’d like to share with my fellow singles out there, or anyone who would like to reach out to their single friends and family members this February. Here’s how it works:

1. List as many different kinds of love as you can that are not focused on romantic relationships. For instance, divine love, charity, friendship, maternal and paternal love, self-love, random acts of kindness, mentorship, etc. Feel free to throw in a few fun ones as well (are you/is your friend a sports fan? Nature lover? Favorite movies/actors/TV shows, etc.). Keep going until you have as many as you’d like, up to 28 if you’d like to do one for each day of the month.
2. Create a document in the style of an Advent calendar, where there is a message, video, prayer, scripture reading, poem, artwork, etc. for each day. Those of you who have seen Busted Halo’s online dvent calendars-- think along those lines, but the sky’s the limit! You can either go with a basic structure for each day (e.g.- scripture, reflection, prayer…image/video clip/reading, prayer…etc.) or switch it up with each day.
3. When February comes around (or the week of St. Valentine’s Day, or however many days you want to do), your single friend will have an affirming message to read every day to draw his or her focus to the abundance of love in his or her life. Make one for someone who’s been going through a tough time lately, make one with a single friend and exchange them, make one for yourself…wherever the need is right now.

If you decide to try this project, let me know how it goes! Feel free to post here to share links for good resources for prayers, readings, images, etc. Don’t let the commericalized overemphasis on romantic relationships get you or your single friends down this year…celebrate love in its many, many forms.

God Bless you all

 

[AlTheCollegeGal]

As a single woman waiting on the Lord vocation-wise, St. Valentine’s Day often brings mixed emotions. This year, I thought of an idea that I’d like to share with my fellow singles out there, or anyone who would like to reach out to their single friends and family members this February. Here’s how it works:

1. List as many different kinds of love as you can that are not focused on romantic relationships. For instance, divine love, charity, friendship, maternal and paternal love, self-love, random acts of kindness, mentorship, etc. Feel free to throw in a few fun ones as well (are you/is your friend a sports fan? Nature lover? Favorite movies/actors/TV shows, etc.). Keep going until you have as many as you’d like, up to 28 if you’d like to do one for each day of the month.
2. Create a document in the style of an Advent calendar, where there is a message, video, prayer, scripture reading, poem, artwork, etc. for each day. Those of you who have seen Busted Halo’s online dvent calendars-- think along those lines, but the sky’s the limit! You can either go with a basic structure for each day (e.g.- scripture, reflection, prayer…image/video clip/reading, prayer…etc.) or switch it up with each day.
3. When February comes around (or the week of St. Valentine’s Day, or however many days you want to do), your single friend will have an affirming message to read every day to draw his or her focus to the abundance of love in his or her life. Make one for someone who’s been going through a tough time lately, make one with a single friend and exchange them, make one for yourself…wherever the need is right now.

If you decide to try this project, let me know how it goes! Feel free to post here to share links for good resources for prayers, readings, images, etc. Don’t let the commericalized overemphasis on romantic relationships get you or your single friends down this year…celebrate love in its many, many forms.

God Bless you all

These are all really good suggestions. Years back, when my group of girlfriends and I were all single and irritated with the commercialism of Valentine’s Day, we decided to anonymously write all of our names down, put them in a hat or whatever and then do kind of a Secret Santa deal. We’d each pick a name and then get something small for that person. I thought it was really nice, because it became more a friendship appreciation/love for your friends type of idea, and we all had fun with it!

 

[Sarcelle]

These are all really good suggestions. Years back, when my group of girlfriends and I were all single and irritated with the commercialism of Valentine’s Day, we decided to anonymously write all of our names down, put them in a hat or whatever and then do kind of a Secret Santa deal. We’d each pick a name and then get something small for that person. I thought it was really nice, because it became more a friendship appreciation/love for your friends type of idea, and we all had fun with it!

I was more irritated by the commercialism of St. Valentine’s day when I was not single. Now that I am single I am just indifferent to it.

 

[Havard]

I was more irritated by the commercialism of St. Valentine’s day when I was not single. Now that I am single I am just indifferent to it.

I hear ya. Though I prefer to think of that problem as a matter of materialism rather than commercialism. I think store advertisements or sales timed around certain occasions are just shrewd business practices; it’s up to individual people celebrating the holiday to decide if it’s celebrated by store-bought gifts.

 

[Joe_5859]

I was more irritated by the commercialism of St. Valentine’s day when I was not single. Now that I am single I am just indifferent to it.

I’m married so I don’t even notice the commercialism of Valentine’s Day.

 

[Sarcelle]

I hear ya. Though I prefer to think of that problem as a matter of materialism rather than commercialism. I think store advertisements or sales timed around certain occasions are just shrewd business practices; it’s up to individual people celebrating the holiday to decide if it’s celebrated by store-bought gifts.

Hmm, you do have a point.

This why the price of red roses really go up during this time. I used to have a rose garden. Maybe I should have used this day to sell roses to people.

 

[yanilea]

Make a sweet video containing all your sweet moments together, record yourself giving a sweet and touching message how much you love him, and that how much you’ve changed into a better person. I am sure he’ll love it and it’s a great thing to watch and reminisce your memories together while eating your romantic dinner. You can have “This I Promise You”, “Now and Forever” as your audio. There’s really plenty of music to choose from

 

[Irishmom2]

A couple of years ago, my daughter posted a message to her Facebook friends. If anyone was single and wanted a Valentine to let her know. She then handmade special Valentines for each person and sent them out to those that asked for them. Many people look at the day with eyes on themselves. They are alone, they don’t have anyone sending them Valentines or candy, or taking them out etc. I liked the story above of the band of friends that arranged “secret valentines” for each other.

 

[Xantippe]

I’m married so I don’t even notice the commercialism of Valentine’s Day.

Hilarious!

Now go buy a box of chocolates or festive Mylar balloon and hide it for the big day.

(It is unfortunately the case that a lot of married people need a certain amount of prodding to make sure that they do SOMETHING for their sweetie–even if the something is a $4 bunch of grocery store carnations.)

 

[LongingSoul]

Hmm, you do have a point.

This why the price of red roses really go up during this time. I used to have a rose garden. Maybe I should have used this day to sell roses to people.

Or to step right away from the commercialism aspect altogether… pick something from your own garden to give to your loved ones.

 

[LongingSoul]

Hilarious!

(It is unfortunately the case that a lot of married people need a certain amount of prodding to make sure that they do SOMETHING for their sweetie–even if the something is a $4 bunch of grocery store carnations.)

:bighanky: Yes, I’ve been married 28 years and never received a Valentines card or gift. I offer it up though for a Holy soul.

 

[Xantippe]

:bighanky: Yes, I’ve been married 28 years and never received a Valentines card or gift. I offer it up though for a Holy soul.

I know a guy who says that his Valentine’s gift to his wife is paying on her student loan…

 

[LongingSoul]

I know a guy who says that his Valentine’s gift to his wife is paying on her student loan…

I’m just more content to not acknowledge Valentines at all. I don’t have time for those justifying gymnastics. It’s not that big of a deal to me mind you. There’s just moments when I long for a little attention like that. Anyway, I’m over it already! Back to the nice thread ideas.

 

[GreyWings]

I’m having a platonic valentine’s day with female friends who are also single. We’re bringing each other cake pops, and flowers and cards. Platonic love is love worth celebrating!

 

[Rose71]

I think there are some fantastic ideas here! My single friends are all such lovely, warm people that I can’t work out why they haven’t been snapped up.

One year, before I met DH, a female friend and I decided to go out for a night out on Valentines Day, just because we didn’t see why we should stay at home just because we were single.

We were the only same-sex pair of diners in the restaurant and ironically, spent the whole evening laughing because we every time we glanced around, we saw men staring at us and woman glaring at us

 

[XenaFan]

I think this is a great idea but I have some caveats. St. Valentine is the saint for those who have already found marriage. Maybe St. Raphael would be more appropriate.

 

[Sarcelle]

I’m having a platonic valentine’s day with female friends who are also single. We’re bringing each other cake pops, and flowers and cards. Platonic love is love worth celebrating!

Great idea.
Platonic friendship is so often underrated these days.

 

[Anglewannabe]

As a single woman, I find the idea of single girls getting together on Valentines day to ‘cheer each other up’ offensive and repulsive. It is like saying ‘I need to do something to prove I am not a looser’. When doing God’s will, if there is an occasion for someone with a different vocation to celebrate, why not be happy for them? Why have an attitude ‘It’s not fair’

 

[Irishmom2]

As a single woman, I find the idea of single girls getting together on Valentines day to ‘cheer each other up’ offensive and repulsive. It is like saying ‘I need to do something to prove I am not a looser.’

Angle, do you realize how offensive that is to some people?

What is wrong with single women cheering each other up on a day they may feel left out or lonely? What is wrong with women celebrating friendship?

Maybe you have decided your vocation is to be single. Cool.

But don’t rain on someone else’s parade when you have no idea what Gods will is for them and shouldn’t be suggesting one for them. The OP was not saying anything about it not being fair, so we don’t even need to address that.

 

[Anglewannabe]

Angle, do you realize how offensive that is to some people? .

Well, maybe I worded it wrongly. Perhaps I should have said I find being invited to those things offensive and repulsive. If other women like then

What is wrong with single women cheering each other up on a day they may feel left out or lonely? What is wrong with women celebrating friendship? .

Nothing, which is why I try to cheer people up 365 days a year. I don’t buy into the commercialism

Maybe you have decided your vocation is to be single. Cool.

But don’t rain on someone else’s parade when you have no idea what Gods will is for them and shouldn’t be suggesting one for them. The OP was not saying anything about it not being fair, so we don’t even need to address that.

Well, if a woman genuinely feels like she is called to marriage and needs to be cheered up on that day and asks me to do something special with her, I can’t help but think she is saying ‘Next year if there is a man in my life, I won’t be asking you to spend time with me on Valentines day’ I want friends who are my friends regardless of their relationship status