By Timothy, Who’s Been There

Let’s talk about rejection.

Today is Feb. 13, which means tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. Plenty of people hate Valentine’s Day, and I used to be in that crowd. In college, I got rejected by a girl so harshly that I immediately apologized for asking her out. Fun fact: I went to college in a small town in TN. During my recent trip to NYC, I turned around to “greet my neighbor” while visiting a church and found myself face to face with her. Luckily now I have an awesome wife so it was a little less awkward than it could be.

I’ve been rejected in almost every way you can be rejected by a girl. I got the “Oh let me check my calendar and get back to you” and never heard from the girl again. I got stood up quite a few times. What I’m getting at here is that I got rejected WAY more than I got a yes when asking girls out.

It’s easy, especially on days like today, to let our self-worth get caught up in our romantic status. Our culture is certainly not helpful with that. Everything from movies to greeting cards make it pretty difficult to be single, especially when you’re single against your will.

I bet this is the part where you expect me to tell you that you don’t have to feel alone because God loves you.

I’m not telling you that.

I mean, it’s true. But it doesn’t help. It’s a platitude, a cliché. It’s lost all meaning and has become hollow. I could tell my single friends that all day and all they would do is roll their eyes.

Instead, what I want to tell you is that I get it. We’ve all been there. This isn’t a post of exhortation, it’s a post of solidarity. I’m going out with my wife tomorrow night, but I spent every Valentine’s Day before I met my wife alone. I never had a date for Valentine’s Day until I was engaged. I remember those nights where I’d sit alone in my dorm and watch movies while my roommates were out on dates. It’s lonely and it sucks, but it’s one day and it’ll pass.

So, on this Valentine’s Day, spend the day knowing you aren’t alone. There are millions of folks out there just like you. Put on your favorite movie, or go see a new one in the theater. Eat a good meal. In the words of Parks and Recreation, treat yo self.

And in the words of one of my favorite bands, U2, “Don’t let the [lovers] get you down.”