Lovey Dovey

Here's the thing about Valentine's Day. It's a totally cheesy, cliched holiday that is bastardized by card and flower companies. It's designed to make single people feel crappy and coupled people feel pressure. The majority of married/engaged/dating couples that I know share this opinion and generally don't really celebrate save for a card, a nice dinner, and maybe a bouquet of flowers. Pretty standard stuff. And then some choose not to celebrate at all. Which is totally their prerogative. And yet...

What I wouldn't give for one year to choose whether or not to celebrate this incredibly trite holiday. As an almost perpetually unattached person, it's kind of the default setting to skulk away from all coupled-based occasions. Still, with every sitcom, radio station, and advertisement that draws attention to it, it's hard to ignore. So, you don't even get the option to celebrate but you can't exactly get away from it either. What a pickle.

With that, I've decided that this year, I'm turning over a new leaf. Instead of moping. I'm going to celebrate. Alone. Even though I recognize the ridiculousness of the day, I can't help but love it. In grade school, my favorite day was making valentines to distribute to the class. I loved decorating my little goody bag and pouring over generic, cartoon valentines from my classmates. I'm slightly ashamed to admit that, in my adult life, I have never had the chance to celebrate Valentine's Day. And I've always wanted to.(God help the next guy who dates me) The feminist in me screams to treat Feb. 14 like any other day, but the hopeless romantic who still holds a soft spot for Disney movies and Prince Charming can't help but wish for a big gesture....or really any gesture.

So this year, on February 14, you can find me with a heart-shaped pizza and a bottle of wine listening to my Valentine's Day playlist of some of the most adorable songs there ever were. And, celebrate I will, if not romantic love, than the love that I have for everyone near and dear to me. Couples, singles, celebrators, and non-celebrators, at least enjoy the following music which can't help but make you smile. And Happy Valentine's Day.

1. You and I- Ingrid Michaelson
2. Anyone Else But You- The Moldy Peaches
3. The Bird and the Worm- Owl City
4. Marry You- Bruno Mars (covered by the cast of Glee)
5. Sunset Lover- Josh Kelley
6. Mary's Song- Taylor Swift
7. Whatever It Is- Zac Brown Band
8. Everything- Michael Buble
9. Be Still My Heart- Postal Service
10. Confidence (For You I Will)- Teddy Geiger
11. Such Great Heights - Iron and Wine
12. The Night Will Go As Follows- The Spill Canvas
13. The Luckiest- Ben Folds
14. Marry Me- Train
15. Falling Slowly- Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova