How You Feel About Valentine's Day Through The Years

When you're young, you're safe. 
As far as you know, Valentine's Day is the same as any other day. 
You're blissfully ignorant. 

But once you reach elementary school, you know what Valentine's Day is and it's really great. You get to have themed parties AND you get a card from every person in the class making you feel special.

Then things begin to get awkward, you reach middle school, and you probably start thinking... "Ok. I need a dude." At the same time you're worrying all your crushes will end with them telling you to go away after you've told them you like them.

So you stay silent, secretly hoping you'll get a candy gram or a rose at lunchtime on the big day. Obviously you deal with the subsequent disappointment with grace. 

In high school, things get a bit better and you stop dreading the day and if you have a significant other you feel all giddy. Or if you're single, you decide to tell the world you don't give a damn about cheesy, commercialized holidays.

You also experience a fair share of disappointment and realize love sucks. 

Yup, I'll always remember when my so-called high school Valentine told me the box of chocolates he bought me had instead been drunk eaten by his older brother who'd just broken up with his girlfriend. 

Fact or fiction? I guess I'll never know.

During your college years, Valentine's Day isn't such a huge deal, but it's a great excuse to dress in red and go to a party. It's kind of like elementary school all over again but with alcohol!

Then you graduate and find yourself in your post-collegiate 20s where Valentine's Day is really about the art of choosing a great restaurant. It's true. This is my first Valentine's Day with a boyfriend and I've spend countless hours debating between celebrating in Omaha or waiting till we go to Chicago as well as what restaurants would be good. Like all girls, I want it to be perfect.

If you're single, you dress up, go out with your girlfriends and resolve not to talk about relationships. 

We've all been through it and the sad truth is at the end of the day Valentine's Day is just another day.

So this year make everyday Valentine's Day. 

CLOTHING DETAILS 
UNIQLO Heattech Turtleneck 
J.Crew Factory Plaid Mini
J.Crew Factory City Coat 
Bauble Bar The Courtney Bib
Vintage Heart Pin [Similar]
Report Signature Gwyn Knee-High Boot 

PHOTO CREDIT | Jeff Collins