I was just trying to find the buy-one-get-one-free Velveeta macaroni boxes at Publix and I somehow ended up in the Valentine’s Day aisle. It felt endless, littered with hearts and smiles everywhere. I immediately regretted doing my grocery shopping a few days before the day dedicated to love and lovers. I reluctantly picked up the Hallmark card with a bumble bee licking a big jar of honey. It didn’t look like it would be too bad.

On the front it read “My sweet angel, I can’t get enough of you and me, honey.” And on the inside it read “With you, life is good… and love is sweet.”

Is that sarcasm? That’s the cheesiest thing I’ve ever read in my life. In fact, if someone gave me that card, I’d donate it to an engineering class so that they could make a bridge out of it. You know, the way some of them do with school newspapers.

I set the card back in its spot, backwards as so to spare anyone the mistake of reading it, or worse, buying it. I continued with my Velveeta hunt.

That’s when it dawned on me: the reason I’m slightly bitter about Valentine’s Day is because I would have a Valentine of my own if my boyfriend lived in the same city as me. Actually, I’d be satisfied if we lived in the same time zone. Instead, he lives in St. Louis, Missouri — a whole 1,190 miles away from Boca. And even though I roll my eyes at the sight of couples smooching and acting extra in love on this one day of the year, I secretly wish I was doing the same. As cheesy as it is, I’d love to be the girl receiving the flowers or the over-sized teddy bear.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had to write something for those who might be feeling this way too at this time of year. Let’s face it: for us, this whole Valentine’s Day frenzy is just a glorified reminder of our own loneliness. But I decided life’s too short to be bitter about any part of it for too long, even if it’s just for a day. Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be as dreadful as I’m expecting it to be. It could actually be something I embrace, ironically enough — a chance to interact with others who are spending it alone and make the most of it together. It could serve as a reminder to tell the important people in our lives (not just in the romantic way) how much they mean to us. Who cares if they see it as a cause for concern and ask if I have a fever?

Whether you’re single or your special someone lives a thousand miles away, or whether you just think the holiday is a capitalist mousetrap for our society’s corny people, this is my advice to you. Walk and talk amongst the sappy, love struck people frolicking around in public spaces, holding hands and feeding each other heart-shaped chocolates. Wear an attitude that says you don’t really need any of that to be happy. This Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to just be for lovers. It could be for loners, too. And maybe, just maybe, if we all come together, we might find that we’re not alone after all.

5 things to do if you’re single 

1. Throw an anti-Valentine’s Day party 

Chances are you’re not the only loner amongst your friends on Valentine’s Day. If you’re single, V-Day can make for a perfect excuse for a party on a Tuesday night. Gather all of your fellow singles into one place and pretend it’s your bachelor or bachelorette party. Even if you’re not getting hitched in the freakishly-soon future, you can always pretend — just for the sake of the party.

2. Invite your friends over for a movie night 

If you don’t want to go through the trouble of throwing a party, pick a few movies that everyone will enjoy. Make some popcorn and bring out the beer. And avoid romantic comedies at all costs — those could potentially be counterproductive. Here are some movies that are guaranteed laugh attacks: Stepbrothers, the hilarious story of two grown men who go from strangers to loving brothers or Bridesmaids, a film about a group of women who drive each other crazy when they have to work together as their friend’s bridesmaids. No matter what gender you are, these movies will have you and your friends cracking up.

3. Go out to dinner with a group 

Some restaurants around campus have deals on meals that could make for a perfect, and affordable hangout for friends. You and your single friends probably want to go out to a place with drink deals and a casual atmosphere. The Millers Ale House on Yamato Road might be the perfect place to dodge any sort of romance. You can get $6 pitchers of beer and a mountain melt that you can share with a friend for under $11.

4. Head to Coyote Jack’s (or an off-campus college bar, like The Irishmen) 

So Coyote Jack’s might not be the most interesting bar in the world, but you can’t go wrong with a beer that costs $2.50, delicious burgers and wraps, and big TV screens that will either be playing movies or sports games. If you’d rather go off campus but stay close, you could go to The Irishmen where they offer the same, plus a jukebox where you can make your own playlist. The Irishmen is a few blocks from campus on 2nd Avenue — and you’re bound to find a fair share of college kids there as well.

5. Fix yourself a nice dinner 

Maybe you don’t really want to go big this year; maybe Valentine’s Day isn’t a cause for celebration at all. You just want to go to sleep early because you have class the next day, but you figure: hey, if everyone else is doing something special, I should, too. It’s not lame to make yourself a substantial, borderline-gourmet meal for one. Besides, it might be time to give the ramen noodles a break and try something more challenging, like a linguine with shrimp and white wine. You’ll thank yourself later.

5 things to do if you’re in a relationship (but on a budget) 

1. Make dinner for two in your dorm or off-campus apartment 

Even if you already have a significant other, making him or her a home-cooked meal would give you extra brownie points —and that can never hurt. You don’t even need to pretend you’re Emeril to make an impressive meal cooked with lots of love. It can be as easy as making angel hair spaghetti with some vodka sauce. Combine that with warm garlic bread, a fresh salad and a fine wine or soda pop if you’re under 21, and “bam!” — you’ve made your Valentine a delicious meal.

2. Catch a flick at the Living Room Theatres or a nearby cinema 

Nothing screams Valentine’s Day like a girl crying on her beau’s shoulder in a public theatre. Luckily for couples, the heart-melting chick flick, The Vow, starring Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum, hits theatres on Feb. 10. Ladies, try not to wish your boyfriend was Channing, and guys, we all know the movie is scripted, but take some tips from the heroic heartthrob protagonist. You might be glad you did so later on. If you don’t want to travel off campus you can always go and watch A Dangerous Method at the Living Room Theatres on the Boca campus. This suspenseful drama starring Kiera Knightley is about two men fighting over one woman, and even if it’s not going to win an Oscar any time soon, some reviews say it’s pretty good. Plus, with reclining seats and food and beverages served to your seat, the Living Room Theatres can make for an intimate atmosphere for you and your Valentine.

3. Go to an affordable restaurant with good deals 

We know you’d love to take your special someone to a fancy restaurant where they only serve the most expensive champagne, and all the tables are topped with rose petals. But the reality is you’ll probably have to save that for when you’re an established professional on a bigger budget. Luckily, there are still ways you can have a nice dinner for two and not break bank. At the P.F. Chang’s on Glades Road across from campus, you could split the “two for 40” deal and each get a four-course meal for $39.99. It might not be as cheap as a McDonald’s happy meal, but you’re still getting a bang for your buck.

4. Double or triple date 

You may be caught in a situation where you just started dating your Valentine, and don’t want to do anything too romantic. You may just be in the mood to hang out with a fellow couple. Whatever the case may be, you could always resort to double or triple dating on Valentine’s Day. By doing this, you can still be on a date, but keep it casual with the company of friends. You could go bowling as a group at Strikes off Military Trail and Renaissance Way or watch a movie together, on or off-campus, followed by dinner.

5. Sing karaoke at a nearby college bar 

For those who aren’t afraid to show off their singing pipes, karaoke could make for an extremely fun date. If you’re 21 or over, go to Holloway’s Irish Pub off Mizner Boulevard for a night of singing — or watching other people sing, which could also be quite entertaining. Karaoke is the perfect way to break the ice, be silly together and maybe even get a free drink.