I would like to first put this disclaimer here: I don’t hate romantic relationships.

Now, having said that, what I do hate is Valentine’s Day.

No, I am not bitter, and I am not lonely. Between working for The Daily Eastern News, being president for the Swordfighters Guild and having a social life, I am anything but lonely.

What I am, though, is sick and tired of hearing people complain about how they cannot celebrate because they do not have anyone to share Valentine’s Day with due to the lack of a romantic partner or a partner of any sort.

Wrong! (If you feel this way, well you can have your own opinion but hear me out.)

My best Valentine’s Day was when my mother got me a teddy bear back when I was 12, and I think she got me some candy as well.

That was special to me because I was having a rough day (a very rough day).

I believe we celebrated Valentine’s Day at school, and since I was not popular, I don’t think I got any valentine’s cards that day. So it was exciting to see my mom get me a teddy bear (I named it Owen), and I felt special.

My worst Valentine’s Day was when I was still engaged (I’ll spare the details), but I went all out, the whole nine yards: dress, heals, everything.

My “oh so loving” boyfriend at the time looked at me, walked upstairs and fell asleep.

I’m not kidding. That’s what happened.

So I ordered a pizza and ate in my dress and called my best girlfriend.

Anyway, after having said all that, my point is there are a lot of different ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

My best friend from high school and I trade cards that we make saying “Happy Dead Valentine’s Day,” not because we hate it, but because we are weird and we built our relationship out of weirdness.

So by passing cards that’s a way for us to celebrate our relationship.

This year, my friend and I decided to invite our other male single friend to hangout and watch “The Walking Dead.”

My point is you do not need to be in a serious or in a romantic relationship to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

I just do not like those couples that wait until a corporate holiday to share sweet things with each other.

You should not be waiting for a corporate holiday to express your love to your partner.

For that matter do not wait until a corporate holiday to tell the person you have feelings for that you like them.

Grow a back bone and just tell them. Invite them to coffee, a movie or a walk in the park.

It could be anything. Just don’t wait for Valentine’s Day.

Why wait a month when you could be having fun now?

But either way, there is a bunch of ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Quite honestly if I was in a relationship on Valentine’s Day and they didn’t like “The Walking Dead,” I’m ditching them for my friends.

Daryl Dixon has my heart.