February 14th Loading
February 12th, 2025
Writer: Dani Cohen
Editor: Sophia Wohl
With Valentine’s Day coming up, I’ve been thinking about love, extra. But not in the romantic way you were thinking of. For years I’ve treated this day like a reminder of something I don’t have.
I’ve made my fair share of jokes to hide the loneliness and I’ve spent time scrolling through Instagram, seeing people holding flowers and sharing intimate nights. Sometimes, I’d think to myself, “why not me”? But this year that's not the case. Honestly, there’s so much more to love than the romantic version that gets shoved in our faces every February 14th.
Love isn’t just about having someone that buys you roses, it’s about the love that already surrounds us. From friends who make us laugh until our stomachs hurt, to the quiet minutes we spend alone, discovering our sense of self. This year, I’m reminding myself that the most important love of all is the one I give to myself. Self love isn’t always as easy as it sounds, but it’s the kind of love that sets the foundation for everything else.
I’m thinking about something my grandmother always used to say: “your partner should be the cherry on top, not the whole cake”. Having someone special is a beautiful thing, but we shouldn’t
rely on another person for our own happiness. It’s about being complete in yourself first. When you’ve mastered that kind of love, you’re ready to truly welcome someone else into your life—not out of need, but out of choice.
So this Valentine’s Day, I’m not sitting around feeling sorry for myself or waiting for a romantic gesture. Instead, I’m choosing to be my own Valentine. I’m focusing on the love I already have. The love I have for myself, for my friends, for this beautiful life I live. It’s the kind of love that fills me up every day, not just on February 14th.
I love, love. I'm not going to let my lack of flowers one day of the year change that. And when the time is right, that cherry will show up. But for now? I’m good with my cake.
