This holiday right here….always gets me a little bit emotional because honestly, I wish I had a “Valentine”…but I don’t. I haven’t in about 4 years. Everyone wants someone to love; that one special someone that will make you feel like you’re “one in a million” on this special holiday. It’s the holiday for couples so to speak but it doesn’t have to be just for couples. For all the single people out there: this one’s for you.

TO KNOW THYSELF IS TO LOVE THYSELF

At this point in my life, I know myself pretty well. I know what I like, what I don’t like, what I want in a relationship and what I don’t want. Yes, I have standards. And for anyone who doesn’t, get you some. I won’t “put up with” or tolerate just anything just to say I have a man. Now don’t get me wrong, my standards aren’t superficial like: he has to be 6’1″ with hazel eyes, making at least a 6 figure income. No, I have REAL, REALISTIC expectations like he must have a personal relationship with God (Yep, this is numero uno).

Like seriously, I think this is realistic if, like myself, you are a child of God but not a Holy Roller. Secondly, he must be willing to accept my kids as his own so he must “fit”.

Come on now…any single woman with kids would or should I say should have this on her so called list. I hate to say I have a list; it’s more like requirements before we can really move forward. Another requirement is that he absolutely must be: #1 Ready for a relationship, #2 Willing to communicate about real life stuff as an adult (like seriously…like a grown ass man), and #3 Willing and Ready to compromise. These are things at the top of the list but not all inclusive of what I want. And yes, these few are actually non-negotiable. You know why? Because I know without a shadow of a doubt that these are things that I, personally, bring to the table. Newsflash: He should have the same or similar expectation! So why don’t I have a man? Hmmm…good question. Three simple words: I WON’T SETTLE. And neither should you. Man or woman, if you know what you want and even more, know what you deserve, then you can’t settle. There will be nothing within you that will allow you to settle for less than what you deserve. I used to have low self-esteem, despite the fact that all my life I’ve been told I’m so pretty, and so talented, and so smart, yada yada yada. None of that matters until YOU love YOU. PERIOD. So on this Valentine’s Day weekend, I will celebrate me. I will celebrate that I am a phenomenal woman, full of life and positive energy and despite the fact that I don’t have a man…..I am worth it. And so are you. Happy Valentine’s Day loves.

• Self Love
• Self-Help