Everyone knows that it sucks to be single. Everyone knows that it especially sucks to be single on the one day of the year where the limelight is on love and only love (aka Valentine’s Day/February 14). And quite frankly, those of us in relationships also know that the phrases “forever alone” and “Single People’s Awareness Day” are annoying and unnecessary. Other snide remarks aimed at the happy couples fit in this annoying and unnecessary category as well.

Not only are these phrases bothersome and needless, they are also not entirely true. If you make it to 90 years old without ever having a significant other, go ahead and say “forever alone” all you want. If you are not 90 years old and truly “forever alone,” keep your comments to yourself.

The chances of an individual being single for their entire life (against their wishes) are slim to none. While statistics say that 61% of people over 18 are single and have never been married, that doesn’t mean that they have never been in a relationship. Even if they haven’t been in relationship, that’s okay too. Not everyone is meant to get married and live happily ever after. There is always a need for Catholic priests.

Also, let’s have a little reality check. This is high school. This is nowhere near the end of your life. The life expectancy of for the average US citizen is 79.4. If you are a high school student, then you are mostly likely between the ages of 14 and 18. That means that there are still 61.4 to 65.4 more years for you to find your potential soul mate. And if I’m not mistaken, that is plenty of time.

So a word of advice from the wise on Valentines to the single ladies and gentlemen out there would be to suck it up and be thankful for the couples in your life that provide an example of a relationship and love for you to look up to. Also, remember that some people do not have a mother on Mother’s Day or a father on Father’s Day. So, in the big scheme of things, not having a lover on Valentine’s Day 2013 is not going to ruin your life.

Anyways, who knows, next year it could be you in a beautiful and lasting relationship, while the couples who are so in love this year are broken up and lonely. Don’t succumb to self-pity because society has told you that you need a date the night of February 14 and you don’t have one; it happens to the best of us.