Finding prince sweetens holiday for once-bitter Cinderella

Friday, February 12, 1999

Finding prince sweetens holiday for once-bitter Cinderella

HAPPINESS: Having wonderful significant other fills even the
most cynical of hearts with pure bliss

By Dafna Ronen

What a difference a year makes. It’s Valentine’s Day 1999. When
I saw the Viewpoint ad welcoming Valentine and love related
articles in The Bruin this past Wednesday, the first thought that
entered my mind was, "Wasn’t it just yesterday that my article for
Valentine’s Day 1998 was published in the Bruin?" It feels like
only moments ago that I was "Cinderella speaking out," (Viewpoint,
Feb 13, 1998) a jaded, cynical female denying the importance of
Valentine’s Day. That was exactly one year ago.

This year I have a slightly different view on the holiday that
graces our lives with red hearts and sweet chocolate candy. You
see, this cynical, jaded, sarcastic Bruin has gotten herself in a
dire situation. Yep. The inevitable has occurred. May God help me.
I’ve fallen in love.

Last year I was content spending Valentine’s Day with a bunch of
friends and simply hanging out while enjoying a fun Saturday night.
I admit, it was not the most thrilling of evenings, but I did meet
the woman I now consider my best friend in the process.

This year, however, I have an excuse to be a giddy, lovelorn
sap. I have a boyfriend. I have never been happier in my entire
life than at this point in time. I am totally, head over heels in
love. If you happened to read my article last year, "Cinderella
speaks out," you may be wondering what prompted my extreme change
of heart. Well, I’ll share it with you. But I forewarn the reader:
you may already know the answer.

Being in love is the most wonderful feeling on earth. It’s a
natural high and once you’re up there, you never want to come down.
It makes everyday mundane tasks bearable. It pastes a permanent
smile on your face. It keeps you awake at night basking in a giddy
glow.

I feel very fortunate to feel this wonderful, for I know how it
feels not to have someone to hold on this "lovers’" holiday.

Even if you take Valentine’s Day with a grain of salt and don’t
give it much attention, it can still be a blow to your ego knowing
you won’t have someone to hold on Sunday, while the couples of the
world will unintentionally throw it in your face.

To those of you who do not have a date for Valentine’s Day, my
advice to you is this: try not to let it make you too bitter. I
know all the friendly advice in the world will still not help those
who live for these kinds of occasions.

But I can say from experience that Valentine’s Day without a
date is not the end of the world. Spending the evening with a bunch
of friends was a great Valentine’s Day last year for me. And as I
stated last year, it is only one day out of 365. So look at it this
way: What’s a measly 24 hours in the greater scheme of things?

If you don’t feel like hanging out with friends this Valentine’s
Day, you can use this Sunday to catch up on studying or one of my
favorites: get some much needed sleep. Or, if you’re interested in
mingling this weekend, I hear Star 98.7 is throwing it’s first
annual Meat Market party on Friday. (I know, I know, but I had to
mention it for the sheer humor of it.)

I must admit, I am very much looking forward to embracing the
man I love this Sunday. I feel very fortunate to be in love with a
man who is not only caring, intelligent and handsome, but also the
kindest, most sensitive man I know. It’s not every day that one
finds that special person that can change your life forever.

For those of you who do have a significant other or a date for
this Sunday, you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say being with
the person you are in love with is heaven on earth. So to all
couples out there: have a great Valentine’s Day.

To everyone who has yet to find that special someone, sit tight
and be patient, because the saying is true: Love finds you when
you’re least expecting it. Happy Valentine’s Day fellow Bruins!

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