The Opposite of a Valentine

Back in college, as Valentine’s Day was approaching, my roommate and I found ourselves without a date. We got the inspired idea to throw a rebellious party for all of the single people in the same situation: the Anti-Valentine’s Day Riot. We figured the best antidote to feeling like a love outcast was to bring our friends together and listen to Rage Against the Machine and The Cure. Everyone would be required to wear black, and we’d gorge ourselves on beer and chocolate and have a grand time. Now, both Natasha and Lady Buttercup would like me to point out that they were in no way involved in this event, and that they predicted all along it was going to be a bad scene. On the night of the Anti-Valentine’s Day Riot, only 3 or 4 people showed up. And once they arrived, it quickly dawned on them (judging by the looks on their faces) that they felt outed for being dateless. I will never forget how pissed one of my male friends looked, slumped up against a wall and glowering. Our intentions were good. After all, who could dispute the fact that Valentine’s Day is commercialized and exclusionary? It is one of those pressure cooker “holidays” that tends to isolate single people and create disappointment in even solid relationships. The experimental Anti-Valentine’s Day Riot only served to enhance our reputation as Throwers of the World’s Worst Parties. In lieu of a party, this year I would simply like to remind people that there is more than one kind of love. So send your grandparents a card, or buy yourself a treat (perhaps a new cd). Or completely ignore it – whatever works for you. Remember: it will be over with tomorrow.