Valentine's Day-a day devoted exclusively to lovebirds. Let me start by saying that I love V-Day. I love it with a passion. I love everything about it. I love the cards, the flowers, the candy, the heart shaped balloons, the smiling teddy bears that hold tiny gifts in their arms, and just the overall feeling of love that's in the air. It makes me swoon and I'm not exaggerating one iota.

I was in a relationship in January, so of course I prepared my boyfriend for all that would be required of him. I mentioned the name of my favorite restaurant, reminded him that I absolutely love roses and did he know the color? Red, of course. Oh, and I'm crazy about chocolate. Dark.

I was giddy. However, this would be short lived. There was an unforeseen glitch in my plan.

I was dumped.

No man=No Valentine's Day. That meant there would be no romantic dinner, no flowers, and no chocolate!!! I was heartbroken.

I'll be the first to admit that breaking up is never pleasant. It's even more unpleasant when you're the dumpee rather than the dumper. Add a text message to the equation and you've got a meltdown.

When your one and only informs you via text that you will no longer be in his life, but thank you very much for hanging around and p.s.-you're a wonderful person, it can send even the sanest of us into
pandemonium.

I was thrust once again into the icy waters of the dating pool, and let me tell you, I'm tired of swimming.

However, after a few days of nursing my bruised ego and lamenting the fact that I actually dated someone who dumped me via text, I discovered to my chagrin that I actually enjoy being single. I can do what I want when I want. I am the captain of my own ship now, well, I always was, but now I've officially taken control of the wheel and I'm sailing my way to calmer waters.

So, although my plans of spending V-Day with my boyfriend, enjoying a candlelight dinner and gazing lovingly into his eyes will not materialize, I'm okay with that. Instead, I'll probably eat a few cupcakes, watch a movie, and call it a day. I will not let my romantic notions of love be extinguished because of an unpleasant experience.

V-Day will continue to be my favorite holiday with or without a boyfriend. After all, I can always buy myself roses and enjoy the whole box of chocolates rather than having to share them. Yes, I think I'll enjoy this Valentine's Day very much.