By Jessie Gambrell

Opinion Editor

Valentine’s Day comes around every February, and for those of us with no valentine to share it with, this sugar-coated holiday can sometimes be bittersweet.

Don’t fret because there are a lot more of us out there than you may think. As an experiment, I counted how many of my Facebook friends had a significant other. Out of more than 100, only 40 of them did. On a very rough scale, that is less than half.

The world can sometimes be cruel, assuming that someone who is single is automatically sad. However, this is often quite the opposite. As this was being written, I was sitting in a casual restaurant, happily eating my dinner alone. I saw two other people sitting by themselves and they do not appear to be sad either. You may be thinking that it is much more enjoyable to be with your friends than alone, especially when it comes to the holidays. It is normal to want a significant other on Valentine’s Day or want to hang out with friends. But for me, I always spend it with my family and we go out to a nice dinner. Love is not just for a significant other. It can be love for your family and friends, the people who are close to you as well.

“Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own home. Give love to your children, to a wife or husband, to a next-door neighbor,” Mother Teresa said.

So this Valentine’s Day, don’t be sad or discouraged, but happy that you have a holiday to express your love for your family and friends. And don’t give up, that special someone will come along one day when you definitely deserve it and least expect it.