People of a certain generation might remember the Journey song with that title off the Raised on Radio album from 1986. As good as the song is, the message is more important. We are told to stop and smell the roses, but we aren't usually told to stop and be good to ourselves.
So what does this have to do with food?
Valentine's Day means different things depending on your current category. You have somebody or you don't have somebody.
Those who have someone go through their own hell of dressing up and sitting in expensive restaurants eating overpriced food in order to prove "love." Oysters, chocolate — hopefully not together — are on the love menu.
Those who don't have someone have the most obvious hell. They are bombarded with commercials about valentines and love, yet they feel like it's a party where they can't swing an invite.
Their culinary options include making heart-shaped cookies and then breaking them or eating out of a pint of ice cream, no bowl necessary.
Neither option sounds that great.
This is where Journey kicks in.
"Be good to yourself when nobody else will. Oh, be good to yourself."
This doesn't mean you should be pious in your food choices on February 14. Indulge if you would like. If you are aching for a steak, go for it. If pad Thai will soothe you, consider it done. Blood orange salad, make it happen.
In making a Valentine's Day meal for yourself, if that is the route to go, make it fun but not self-deprecating. Have fun with it, but be upbeat.
Easier said than done. Just pretend you're making a special meal for someone you like, and can't make that connection, or imagine someone special you will meet someday. Once you are done making that meal, give it to someone who appreciates a great home-cooked meal: you. After all, aren't you someone special?
Being alone on Valentine's Day means nobody else is there to be good to you. So take the reins, drive the train that is you, and make yourself a Valentine's Day meal. The only bad part is that you have to clean it up yourself. Be good to yourself … and wait until February 15 to clean up the kitchen.
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