Dealing with Valentines Day Alone

Dealing with Valentines Day can be a distressing experience, for those that have a loved on, and also for those without a companion. Getting the right presents, choosing the right words in a card, all very complicated topics. But, spare a thought for those who haven't got a loved one this Valentines Day. And also for those that do, but are separated from them for whatever reason.

I am a married woman, a happily married woman, but this Valentines Day, I will be celebrating it by myself. Are you wondering why? Well, I am an Army wife. My husband is in the army, and right now, he's somewhere between Europe and South America. That is because he flew out this morning, 3am, to a three month training exercise.

Now, I think it was a little bit of an insensitive time for the Army to have flown my husband, and also many other women's husbands out to the middle of the jungle. I, personally, am dreading the thought of spending Valentines Day by myself, simply because he not only missed this one, but he missed last one as well. He also missed my birthday, out first wedding anniversary and he will probably miss many more to come as well. All because of his job, and the fact that he has to go away an inconvenient times. Now, I appreciate that he has a job to do and tasks to fulfill, but it doesn't make the situation any easier. I am sat here, on Valentines Day, writing this article, trying to convey into words the loneliness and dread I am feeling. Three months is a long time, especially seeing as we have never been apart for longer than a couple of weeks before. While I am sat here, having conversations with my family and friends telling me what they got and what restaurants they are going to have dinner in, I am planning a meal for one in front of a television with every channel plastered with love related shows.

Every TV channel that I have flicked through has had something to do with Valentines Day on it. Films centered on the love subject, music channels filled with soft love ballads, you name it, I've seen it and it makes me tearful every time I look through the channels.

So, while you are planning your great, romantic evening, please spare a thought for those of us that are not fortunate enough to be able to spend this day with the ones we love. Those wives or husbands whose spouses are at war, or having to work in another part of the world. Those people that have recently lost a loved one, and those that just haven't got anyone to love. It's hard for us too, just for another reason. I would love to be stressed out right now, wondering what to wear, where to go, what present to get, but the reality is, I'm facing a very long three months ahead of me, where I can't have the chance to take my husband for granted.

I hope, whatever you do, that you have a good Valentines Day, but pleas remember people like me!