For years I dreaded it. In elementary school, it meant I had to be creative and make one of those silly boxes for our class party. I was one of those really uncreative kids, so my mom always had to help me, and I still had the most boring box (except for that kid who always just brought a paper bag). And I had to give everyone in the class a card, so no one would think I was mean. I had to give cards to the boys. Eew!

Then it came to the point where I liked giving cards to the boys and even spent hours planning what boy would get what one. I would go to K-Mart and carefully select the cartoon characters that would be my Valentines that year. Then I'd sit down and read all the cards to make sure I didn't give the boy who had been bugging me a card that made it seem that I liked him. That would have been a catastrophe. And I really had to be careful about what card I gave the dreamy 10 year old I most recently thought I was in love with. But the boys acted like it was doomsday when they put their cards in the girls' boxes. The only thing they cared about was that they got candy!

Then hit puberty, and it hit hard. I choose to forget junior high, so we'll move right on. Being the single, pathetic (or so I thought), high schooler I was, I always tried to find some new form of self-pity on V-Day. After I started stagging it to high school V-Day dances, or I'd boycott the day altogether and curl up with a warm blanket and an old mushy movie. Last year, I spent it bundled up in a coat making fun of all the girls on dates walking down College Avenue in short black skirts. You could practically see the goosebumps through their hose!

After remembering my Valentine's Day experiences, I asked several of my friends how they feel about the big day. Some felt that wasting 25 bucks on a dozen roses is silly and meaningless. Guys should use their imaginations, not their wallets.

It would be much more romantic to have dinner made for you than to go somewhere expensive. And finding out that particular flower your girlfriend loves and buying just one is more thoughtful than roses. And it is the thought that counts. Guys (or girls), you should really think about that. Don't think this applies to men only, ladies. Be creative!

And there are those who just hate Valentine's Day. My friend is celebrating anti-Valentine's Day this year. Another friend calls it the "Day of Black Death" and dresses in all black.

Steve would love Valentine's Day and go all out to make it great if he found that special someone. But since that lucky girl is "somewhere out there," he's sending his Valentine to his mom, because he knows she'll always love him.

Allison has the opinion I really want to share with you today. She feels that having a boyfriend or girlfriend heightens the Valentine's Day celebration, but it can be about loving everyone, not just your boyfriend/girlfriend. She thinks anyone who hates V-Day is making him or herself miserable. There are more people to love than just your significant other.

I agree, because as I look forward to spending my first non-single Valentine's Day, I am most looking forward to a letter that should arrive in the mail any minute now. And it's not from some not-so-secret admirer, it's from my mom.

Every year since as long as I remember, my mom has written a poem for both my brother and me. Her poems recall events that have shaped our lives in the past year and express her love for us. No matter what surprise from my boyfriend, it will never measure up to that poem.

Valentine's Day doesn't have to be about "romantic" love and that guy or girl you've been seeing. It can be about the true love from your family, friends or anyone you love, and all those who love you.

So, as you look forward to, dread or ignore Valentine's Day, think about welcoming it, and maybe even send a goofy Valentine to all the special someones in your life. Go out and have some fun.

I don't know why I dreaded Valentine's Day because no matter what boy had hurt me last, there would always be a poem signed, "Luv, Mom."

Happy Valentine's Day!