Roses are red, violets are blue. I don't need a man and neither do you.

As much as I've tried to convince the rest of the world that Valentine's Day is cancelled this year, it will still be taking place tomorrow, according to plan.

Just the thought of this dreaded so-called "holiday" makes me cringe. Usually. I've never been fond of Valentine's Day. Whether it was receiving jewelry from a boy in my fourth grade class and having to break his little heart by returning it because I couldn't reciprocate those same feelings or doting on the boy back home whom I was madly in love with and pretty sure I was going to marry, it was just never a day I could bring myself to celebrate in earnest. This year, as the day grew near, I started to feel that same cynism that usually encroaches on my outlook around the month of February.

But then, as I started to feel that utter hatred and disdain for this painstakingly cliché day, I had to stop myself. And then I realized...this is the first year in three years that I have not been in a relationship on Valentine's Day. For the first time in three years, I don't have to worry about anyone but myself. And as much as people might expect me to be absolutely crushed by that realization, I actually welcome it with a sigh of relief. 

I don't have to spend this Valentine's Day worrying about making someone else feel special and loved. I don't have to stay up all night baking cookies, or finishing presents, or writing letters. I don't have to put on a fake smile and pretend like all of their touchy-feely, overly cheesy "romantic" gestures don't make me so unbearably uncomfortable. I don't have to worry. I don't have to do anything at all if I don't want to. 

But this Valentine's Day, I will be celebrating. I will be celebrating being young, and alive, and strong, and free. I will be celebrating my singleness, because it's something I haven't been able to do in a very long time. It's something that should be celebrated, because I might not be single forever. So I'm going to fully embrace and appreciate the time I get to spend on my own and the freedom that comes with it. 

I know that a lot of people, like myself, aren't the biggest fans of this holiday, and tend to refer to it as "Single Awareness Day." But, let me share a little secret with you: It's not "Single Awareness Day." It's our very own personal Independence Day, and we have every right to treat it as such. I'm speaking to both the ladies and the gentlemen out there. This goes for all of you.

Most people might feel depressed about being single on Valentine's Day, seeing all of the happy couples prancing around, flaunting their love for each other. I was one of those people at one point, too. But while others are feeling sad and mopey about being alone on Valentine's Day, I find myself feeling empowered by it. I am young and I have all the time in the world to be tied down. But right now, all I want is to be surrounded by the people who mean the most to me and tell them I love them, finish college, work on achieving my goals, start my career, have new experiences, and enjoy my life along the way.

I am happy. I am loved. I am unlimited. I am free. And that, my friends, is cause for celebration.

Happy Independence Day!