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Valentine’s Day is upon us again regardless of whether you’ve been dreading it, eagerly awaiting it or really couldn’t give a rat’s ass. This year it falls on a Saturday so if you happen to be single or heartbroken or lonely or regretful or angsty or hormonal or bored or restless or worried or even just a little blue, it can give that extra little twist of the knife to your heart that you really don’t need.
I can tell you, dear monkeywhalers, that I have experienced the full range of Valentine’s Day emotions. One year I got engaged on Valentine’s and by the next one I had cancelled a wedding, broken someone’s heart who I had loved deeply, alienated some friends and family, and suddenly lived alone in a house that had been meant for two. Heavy drinking, hours of listening to Cat Power, daring yourself to look at old photos… I know the drill. All too well. It’s not pretty. But it’s life, yes? And even those terrible lonely moments in life lead us somewhere.
My dear friend Kara and I decided that we would start a new Valentine’s tradition which consisted of drinking beer, watching college basketball and eating wings. Disgusting amounts of ranch are a necessary ingredient. This is goodness. We look forward to it. We laugh about it. We spit in the face of greeting card and jewelry store commercials that make people feel badly about themselves unless they are giving and receiving diamonds over candlelit dinners.
Ah, but there is hope. New friendships are made, old ones are strengthened, raucous laughter ensues. Love appears just when you thought you’d sworn it off for good. Light comes from darkness and all that stuff.
Call your mothers if it’s possible. Tell your friends you love them. Listen to music that makes you dance. Hug your cat. Buy yourself some chocolate. Stand out on the porch and look at the sunshine. This is what it looked like on Valentine’s Day here last year.
So surely it’s a new year. And a new story has begun. Our lovely friend Molly McGinn has a line in a very beautiful song that seems relevant.
“Every tragedy is just a story that hasn’t had a happy ending yet.” Indeed.
Find your happiness, folks. It doesn’t require anyone but you.
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February 14th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Nice, Carolyn. And the photos are lovely too. Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 14th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Next time you see a monkeywhale, please pass along a message of love for all that the monkeywhale has brought to our lives.
February 15th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
The last photo with the jump roping girl is so beautiful, I want a poster of it for my wall. Keep up the great work!
February 15th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Love, love, love this post. Very nice! & thank you for spending your Valentine’s evening helping out the ‘Spoon. You’re awesome.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Reassuring and uplifting indeed! Just wanted to let you know that I”m so glad there is monkeywhale! It’s good to be able to keep an eye on what all is going on in Greensboro. And I’m glad to know you all are doing what you love and practicing your gifts. Hope I can come check out the studio set up soon!