Franco Nube 
Have you ever been in love? Better yet, are you in love? With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I can almost smell the fragrance of love in the air. Bouquets and stuffed bears holding little hearts, poems and letters of love and adoration, confessions and love songs — what a joyous season for lovers and friends. It must be truly heartwarming to love and be loved like in the movies, walking down the street like you’re stepping on clouds, and finding solace in the embrace of the person you call home. Such a beautiful thing it is, love.
As the 14th of February creeps in closer, I start to realize that there is no better time than now to express and let out the overflowing love that is within my heart. But I forgot a minor detail, I do not have someone to shower with my adoration and affection, I am single. With lovers and couples doing things that lovers do, I am almost certain that I’m not the only one who feels a teeny bit envious — as we commonly say, “Sana all!”
Envy and jealousy often lead to bitterness, and this I found to be especially true when it comes to the dating scenario. Oftentimes, when I see couples being affectionate and expressing their love for one another, I can’t help but to roll my eyes and let out a sigh. And if you’re like me, who won’t be celebrating the 14th in a table for two, the sweetness of love may leave a bitter aftertaste for you as well. Since we are in the discussion of being single, maybe you will find yourself relating to these reasons as to why you are not in a relationship.
Fate and Faith
As beautiful as it may be, love is a complicated thing that one cannot simply read a book and be an expert on. And so, others let their faith in God dictate when and where love will find them. They keep their faith that love will come in God’s perfect time. Others believe in destiny pulling the red strings, finding solace in the idea that whatever belongs to you, will find you. Regardless of what you believe in, whether it be faith or fate, rushing things is not on the table, especially when it comes to love.
By Choice or No Choice?
Sometimes being in a relationship is a personal choice. Others refrain from being in a committed relationship due to past traumas and experiences, some people I know are afraid of the idea of commitment, others enjoy the freedom that being single brings. Unfortunately, the choice of being single is not given to everyone. Maybe you have fallen alone in love, rolled the dice and took the risk, but didn’t get lucky. Perhaps Cupid’s arrow was only accurate when he was shooting you. Regardless whether you are single by choice, or a lack thereof, don’t give up on love just yet.
Time check: I Miss You o’clock
Love certainly is beautiful, but sometimes it’s not enough to keep a relationship afloat. Relationships require more than love, it needs commitment, trust, and dedication among other things. And when love ends, it seems like the colors fade away with it. A wound caused by love takes time to heal, it scars, it stays. Nostalgia often visits at night, and when it does, the longing we feel cannot be ignored. So, if you are celebrating this Valentine’s Day alone due to a love that recently ended, know that you are not alone.
Studies first, Love second
As a student myself, I value education more than anything, aside from my family of course. I view education as one of the few tickets available in my journey towards a better future for my family and I. With that said, it is a good and valid reason to stay single because you prioritize your studies first. In fact, it might even be a good choice, more so if you find it difficult to balance studies and love. It might be impossible to find a compromise when it comes to career and being in a relationship, and choosing that degree is never the wrong choice.
If you are celebrating this Valentine’s Day single, whether you find tranquility in solitude, healing from wounds of a love that failed, prioritizing your academic pursuits — let this day of hearts be an opportunity for self-love to flourish. Let not the idea of being alone lead you to a bitter outlook in life. Love will cross your path sooner or later, and when it comes, let it not slip through your fingers. For now, know that just because you are single does not mean that you need to be alone. But if you do prefer being alone, that does not necessarily mean you are lonely. Being alone and being lonely mean different things.
