Valentine Ideas No Matter Your Facebook Relationship Status

Sara — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 17:00:34 +0000

Valentine Ideas No Matter Your Facebook Relationship StatusSara Wed, 02/14/2018 - 11:00

Feb 14, 2018

Contributed by Eduardo Morales

Flying Solo? Just found bae? Settled in and enjoying #marriedlife? Here are some ideas for enjoying your Valentine’s Day, no matter what your Facebook relationship status may be. Singles: Single individuals have a lot of mixed feelings when it comes to V-Day. In my opinion, your perspective is what makes or breaks this touchy feely day of love. Even if you don’t have a date, you can make the most of this day by showing your love to others. In my single years I’ve done things like writing cards to my family to let them know that I love them and am thankful for them. One year, I even wrote a Valentine’s Day letter to my future wife, years before I met her (She was able to read it this year when we got married). Find a way to do something nice for someone, whether it is taking a co-worker out to lunch or inviting your single friends to come over for a potluck dinner. You can still have a lot of fun on this day, even if you are flying solo! Dating/Engaged: There are a lot of great ideas. You don’t have to break the bank to show someone that you love them, but I would suggest doing something different from the norm. Make a lasting memory. Do a painting night where you paint a portrait of that other person. Take them to the restaurant they’ve been asking you about for a while. Get dressy, maybe go the fancy route. Then, go out to a coffee shop and talk about the qualities and characteristics you love about that other person. Maybe you’ve been dating for a while, and you’re ready to make the long-term commitment. While it might be cliche, there’s no sweeter day to profess your love for someone. Married: I’ve only been married for three months now, but I’ll offer some ideas I’m thinking of. Be intentional about spending time with each other. Put a reminder on the calendar. Send your spouse on a scavenger hunt. Leave little notes around house with little gifts or cards that they can find. Send them a Snapchat or short video with a special message a few times throughout the day. Have a romantic meal. Get the kids involved. Have them be the waitress or waiter. Have them be the DJ or perform a special concert. Or if that’s too much, put the kids to bed early. Binge watch ‘This Is Us’ together on the sofa, feeding each other dessert. Take some time to look over your wedding photos or watch your wedding video. Be romantic as possible. Receive the love. Enjoy the flowers and the chocolates. Enjoy the quality time with that special person. Make the most of the occasion. Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Most of us are past the old grammar school days of giving out shiny cards with cartoon characters and little boxes of chalky hearts etched with “Wanna be mine?” Even if you have not yet been hit by Cupid’s lucky arrow, this Hallmark holiday is a great opportunity to do something special for someone in your life who brings you joy, whether that is your partner, relative, or close friend. Take the opportunity this year to tell those you care about that they are loved. For more resources on personal and professional development, you can follow Family Bridges on social media @familybridges.

Valentine's Day

relationships

single

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A Valentine's Blog That Won't Make You Throw Up

Sara — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 20:28:16 +0000

A Valentine's Blog That Won't Make You Throw UpSara Wed, 02/08/2017 - 14:28

Feb 8, 2017

Contributed by Ashley Reed

How many of you have been a victim of Valentine’s Day disappointment? Maybe your crush didn’t leave you a cute note like you hoped they would, or maybe your partner forgot to buy you flowers. Less than two decades ago, if a high school friend got a huge bouquet of roses and jewelry for V-Day, only her and a few people in her circle would know about it. Today with social media, your newsfeed can become a blur of teddy bears, sparkly rings, flowers, and chocolate. Disappointment comes when we don’t receive something that we expect. And misery can come when we watch good things come to everyone else around us while we feel like we have been looked over. Cue the pity party violins. So, what should we do to avoid the Valentine’s Day blues?

Ask yourself, do you have any expectations for Valentine’s Day? If you are in a relationship, let your partner know if you would like something for Valentine’s Day. It may sound crazy, but there is a high chance that your partner doesn’t even know that V-Day is around the corner - or even that you are expecting something that day! Don’t drop indecipherable hints. If you want flowers, make it crystal clear to your partner that you would really love to get flowers on V-Day. Saying what you want and getting it is better than silently expecting something and feeling crushed when you don’t receive it.
Maybe you have recently had a break up, a divorce, or are mourning the loss of a loved one. The commercials and hype for Valentine’s Day might make you feel queasy or angry. In that case, I would recommend staying away from your social media feed and investing in self-care or family time.
Now for all of the single ladies and guys. Being single can be annoying on Valentine’s Day. Posting memes about the hype of Valentine’s Day can lead to the inevitable comment: “well someone is bitter/alone/going to die a spinster with 80 cats.” And having the spotlight of pity on you isn’t fun either - how many of you have heard “don’t worry, the right woman/man will come along eventually”, or even better, “how are you still single? You are so pretty/handsome/intelligent/witty/fill in the blank.” For this scenario I recommend the same medicine from point #2 - self-care and family time.

Valentine’s Day is commercialized and hyped up to the point that it sparks mixed emotions of fear, dread, anticipation, or high expectations for many people. But maybe, if we shifted the focus on that day from what we receive to what we give others (a listening ear, a shared meal, simple time spent together), we could make it a much happier and well-anticipated day for all parties involved.

relationships

love

Valentine's Day

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