I'm Single and Excited for Valentine's Day

February 14th is almost here and I am not one bit sad about it. Many single women choose to have some type of "I Hate Valentine's Day" party and that's fine if you're into it, but I will not be participating in any type of self-loathing this Sunday. As I sit on my bed eating one of my mother's famous heart-shaped cookies, I can't help but be thankful for my single-girl VDay this year.

I love cookies, I love pink frosting, I REALLY love chocolate, I even like those little conversation hearts. Besides Halloween, this holiday is basically the biggest excuse to eat sweet things and I will gladly celebrate the occasion. Heck, this is starting to sound like a really good excuse for me to make some chocolate lava cake and consume it all by myself. Guess what?! I don't have to share and no one can judge me. Being single on this day is great because you get to have 2x the candy.

I have the absolute worst present-giving anxiety. I don't know what it is but I am always the girl saying "it's like totally a stupid present like seriously so dumb, feel free to return it, I don't know what I was thinking." Why do I do that? When I'm being rational I realize that I give pretty good presents but for some reason I am unbelievably self-conscious about my gift-giving. Being single on this day is great because I don't have to think of a present for someone, I don't have to spend my money on a present for someone, and best of all, I don't have to get sweaty palms from giving someone said present.

I've said it before but my issue with high-expectations has generally ruined most holidays involving couples or relationships. I'm a little bit too much of a romantic so this day just really isn't fair for someone trying to be with me. Being single on this day is great because I don't have to be let down and no one has to feel like they aren't doing enough for me (sorry this sounds more depressing than it should, it is genuinely a good thing).

As  grow older, I am beginning to realize that this day does not have to be about romantic love. The English word "love" can vary in meaning widely. I "love" french fries, I "love" autumn, I "love" my dad, I "love" my dog. So this year, I am going to celebrate all of the love in my life. I want to spend the day talking to and being with all of the people I love. I did one of those Facebook quizzes that told you who your Valentine was this year and, surprise surprise, it said my mom (I didn't want to post it because I think people (myself included) are starting to get genuinely creeped out that those quiz results are always my parents). But in all honesty, Facebook got it right because Jan got me flowers and cookies and made me feel very special, as she is so good at doing.

If you're single on Valentine's Day, take the opportunity to celebrate all the love you have in your life. Tell your parents and siblings you love them and treat yourself to a few (hundred) Dove chocolates. Love does not have to be in the form of a significant other to be celebrated. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Why I Love Being a Transfer Student

When people realize that I am a transfer student, they always want to know what inspired my decision to switch schools. Most of the time they assume I hated it and prepare themselves for a continuous reel of horror stories to confirm their belief that they attend the best university in America. I always find this question a very difficult one to answer because I did not transfer out of misery at Mizzou. Some of the people I met in Columbia will be a part of my life forever and the lessons I learned there shaped me into who I am now. Though there were many factors that gave me reason to transfer, the most important one was that I genuinely did not feel like the person I needed to become was going to develop fully and properly at Mizzou. Though it has been anything but easy, I feel confident that I am in the right place to grow the way I am supposed to.

With that being said, my goodness, I miss my friends in CoMO. This weekend I decided I needed a little Tiger-lovin' after a long week and it was the best decision I have made in a while. I attempted to surprise all my little love bugs (for some this was unsuccessful) and spent the weekend catching up and eating all the foods I missed so much (can I get a booyah for t-ravs, Zaxby's, and Waffle House?!). This weekend was exactly what I needed for a little boost and a refresher on how great these people are. Here's why being a transfer student is the best:

1. When you walk in a room, people are genuinely really excited to see you because they haven't for some time.

2. You spend a lot of time reminiscing on the good 'ol days and all of your embarrassing stories.

3. I brought my friend Molly along for the visit which made me appear very knowledgeable and was able to show off what I still believe to be the most beautiful campus in America.

*Molly seeing the columns and Jessie Hall*

4. You don't eat a Thanksgiving meal everyday which is the reason why it is so stinking good when you do and that goes for my CoMO food. Plus, this weekend adventure was technically considered a vacation so I could technically eat whatever I want and not feel bad.

5. The same way sparingly eating your favorite foods makes them that much better, seeing your favorite people sparingly makes your visits that much greater.

6. Because the people in my life that go to Mizzou are the kind of friends that after time apart, our relationship doesn't skip a beat and it feels like nothing at all has changed.

Transferring was one of the hardest choices I've ever made and being back this weekend made me remember why. I'm so thankful for my double-school and double-friends and I wouldn't trade them for the world. Thanks to everyone who made this weekend exactly the getaway I needed, love you lots.