It's my university's birthday week... oh and Valentine's Day

If I told you I hated Valentine's Day, I'd be lying to you. I would be minimizing all of the posts I've personally published and the dates I've enjoyed.

But this year things are obviously different. And not in the most fun way possible.

This year I spent the day practicing self-love, which mostly involved drinking my calories at Starbucks (twice) and pretending I'm not getting some virus that wants my throat to cease existing.

And then I took pictures at the football stadium celebrating 150 years of Huskers existing.

That was the highlight of my day.

And then I came back to my dorm and started scrolling through Instagram and realized something, everyone I know is truly, madly, deeply in love with someone.

Yes, everyone.

Which totally makes sense for why I am spending my night alone! Everyone else is taken!!

And, thus, I was a little sad to be the last single girl on the face of the planet.

So I threw myself a pity party for a second and thought a little bit more.

And I came to an entirely different conclusion.

Not everyone in the world is in a relationship. It's just that everyone in the world that's in a relationship is posting about it.

So I stopped scrolling and pondered a little bit more and made my final realization.

I am truly, madly and deeply jealous of everyone on my feed. Yes, I'll admit it. I love being in love.

I am a true fan of forehead kisses, tight hugs and being told "goodnight, I love you" before I fall asleep by some amazing young man.

I don't hate having someone I can always count on to be there for me or someone I know I can probably make plans with. Those things aren't awful.

But what is awful is pretending to hate the people that have that right now simply because I don't.

I am not the first person to admit or realize that being single on Valentine's Day is not the best. And I can admit I really enjoyed the stress of making a long* distance relationship meet up in the middle of the workweek to celebrate having love between us.

But things don't always go as planned and relationships end everyday. Sadly, there are likely even some ending today.

But I promise this blog has a point.

Here's the deal ladies and gentlemen, everyone deserves happiness. Each person on this planet deserves to feel those fluttery little butterflies for someone.

And, every day has something to be happy about.

There is ALWAYS a reason to smile.

So, sure, today kinda sucks to think about that empty heart on my Facebook profile announcing to the world my singleness and the guys in my messages telling me I'm hot and asking if I have a boyfriend remind me what being single incorporates in 2019.

But that doesn't mean today has lost all hope.

I am still smiling.

I have amazing friends, one of which froze her fingers off because she knows I can never turn down the opportunity for a photoshoot. I have a super strong support system that will probably read this whole blog just to make sure I'm okay.

And I have an incredible school celebrating 150 of fostering knowledge and creating an identity for us Huskers.

So, happy Valentine's Day, if that's your thing.

But no matter what, find a reason to smile in the mirror and remind yourself you're incredible.

For me, that means taking a hot shower with my Husker football Spotify playlist blaring and then watching a chick flick or rom-com on Netflix.