Let’s rewind before I get to that statement.
Happy Valentines Day to all you love birds out there and Happy Valentines Day to those of you who chose to love life or something else today. It is really okay… I promise. For the first time in a while I didn’t have a valentine today. I’m not saying that is a bad thing or acting like some stud. I always thought how awful it was that people hated valentines day because I love it for some reason. I loved a lot of things about this day. With that being said, this year I have a new understanding and see why some people don’t enjoy this day. It is a slap in the face. “Oh hey you are still single.” I mean for some that isn’t really an issue. Some people want celebrate this day and there is nothing wrong with that. Last night when I was laying in bed I got real sad because after you see so many gifts and so many sappy Instagram posts, you are over it. Maybe you miss someone and wish you could celebrate with them. Maybe you don’t have anyone to celebrate with. Maybe you don’t want to celebrate. Whatever it is, it is harder than I expected.
After falling asleep, exhausted, I was hoping that maybe Valentines Day would somehow skip by without me, but I woke up and here it was. It is so weird because I have always loved this day, but today it was different. In some ways it was good and in some it was bad. I really wanted to celebrate. I love being able to buy gifts for people so today, since I had no one to buy a gift for a decided to visit my one true love… Vineyard Vines.
Shoutout to my friend Mariel and Michelle for taking time out of their busy schedules and driving to Plano with me. Plano isn’t that far from TCU, which is a bad thing because I love Vineyard Vines a lot and with one being an hour away this could be dangerous. I know you guys probably weren’t that excited to go with me, but that fact that you did made today a much better day. Y’all are the real Valentines!
I love Vineyard Vines, but there stores and I have a love hate relationship.
Flashback to this summer on my senior trip in DC when my credit card got declined at Vineyard Vines and no one was around to help me out. Literally so embarrassing.
So I go today I am overwhelmed and I am loving everything. I didn’t really need anything, but it was Valentines day and I had to celebrate, right? I have this gift card and I got to the counter and I am all excited. I give her my debit card to put the remaining balance on and while she is doing that I am telling the story of how last time the most embarrassing thing happened to me wh… “Sir, your card is declined.” The words no one ever wants to hear especially in their favorite store. Needless to say I was embarrassed again. Long story short, my card company is super sensitive and when it comes to charges in random places they lock my card, which is so inconvenient , but good at the same time. All was worked out after a stressful phone call to my parents
(thanks for loving me and helping me when I have no idea what to do. What would I do without you?)
After this I was pretty bummed because I was just trying to make the best of Valentines Day. I thought my parents were mad and then I was worried I had done something wrong. I then realized something:
We aren’t in control of something’s in life.
I can’t control my credit card company.
I can’t control if I have a valentine or not.
I can try my hardest to, but when it comes down to it, God is really in control and all God really wants is for us to be his Valentine. He provides us with the great love of all. No matter if you are head over hills for someone, or single as a pringle, the love that matters the most and is the greatest is God. No one else can feel that gap. No one. He loves us all of the time, no matter what. He is also the one in control. If you aren’t pleased with valentines day, remember that he has a plan and there is a reason for your situation.
Maybe he is bring you closer to him?
Maybe he is taking you away from someone else?
Maybe he is sending someone your way?
Maybe he is waiting for the right time?
Maybe he is teaching you something?
Maybe he loves you more than anything or anyone could?
Take out the maybes and that is what valentines day is. Loving others because God first loved us.
First be thankful for God’s love. Second be thankful for love from a boyfriend, girlfriend, family, friend, pet, netflix, or whatever else you chose to call your valentine today. Yeah I would have loved to buy someone flowers or Tory Burch, but God had someone else on my lovers list this year… him. So yeah, today may be a hard day to be single, but it is the BEST day to be in God’s love. I am thankful for this love and this different valentines day full of vineyard vines, declined cards, friends, an important lesson, God’s love, and the pleasure of being thankful for it all. Happy Valentines Day friends… I love you all XOXO (xoxo because its appropriate).
Yours Truly,
Southern and Thankful
You are wise beyond your years Cade! I was thinking some of the same things that you were. I took myself to Little Rock and had my hair cut and of course colored (at my age it is a necessity). I took myself out to eat at a favorite spot of mine and I went shopping at my favorite store! I even bought myself a cute pair of sandals for spring. I had a great Valentines Day! I too thought that although I didn’t have a special valentine, and after years of lost valentine’s …God must have a plan for me. I know he loves me! Knowing that give me comfort and peace! Being single is really a good thing, even on Valentine’s Day! Enjoy this time in your young life!