Valentine's Day minus the Valentine

February 14th - the day of love, the day for couples to show how much they love each other. After spending the last 8 Valentine's with a guy, it felt fucking fabulous and relieving to spend this one alone. No guy to worry about, no one to split the hefty bill with, no one to get a dress shirt or bottle of cologne for. Would it be nice to have someone to cuddle up to and have sex with at the end of the night? Fuck yes. But will I just settle for the first bum who shows me attention? Fuck no.

Being single is fun, exciting, sexy, spontaneous. You get all giddy again every time you kiss someone new. When you finally match with that hot dude off of Hinge, you get that feeling like you found a winning scratch ticket. But sometimes I can't help but think that some app like Hinge is pointless and a waste of time. Let me put it this way... if I wasn't able to sniff out a liar, player boy before getting into my last relationship, how can I know that some rando I meet off Hinge is any different? How am I supposed to determine whether 26 year old Frankie from Southie who works at Goldman and drinks and smokes weed sometimes, is a good guy?

Hot take: I love when a guys' first picture is with other guys. If you don't have hot friends... or any friends for that matter, unfortunately, it won't work. They can't put what their religious or political beliefs are. And someone's answer to a prompt can't be too serious.

What are you looking for in a relationship: "A good communicator, honesty and trust".... fuck outta here with that serious ass answer.

What I want to hear: "Someone who is down for a round of tequila 24/7."

Lots and lots of rules. But these are the factors that help determine whether Frankie is worth chatting with. And I mean, I'm willing to give it a try if a guy can just hold a convo. I've been on a few dates and not one has been awkward. A 1st date should NEVER be awkward. There are more things than ever to talk about, since you know nothing about the other person. My suggestion.. just go out to get drinks. Make it quick. If that goes well, maybe just maybe he can take you out to dinner the next time.

So here are a list of some cool spots for drinks: Committee, Baldwin Bar, Café Paradiso, Yvonne's (if you can get a res), Roxanne's, Trina's Starlite or Saltie Girl

I also had a little convo with my best guy friend this past weekend and I'll share his insight into the online dating scene: "I like when a girl asks me to do something. Sometimes I wait too long to ask the girl out and they stop hitting me up. I wish a girl would ask to grab a casual drink with me on the weekend." Do I think a girl should always ask a guy out? Hell to the no. But if a guy is being too patient and waits too long to ask, just do it yourself. What's the worst thing that could happen?

So yes, this Valentine's Day was very different. Spent it with my best girlfriends and I'm looking forward to spending most of my weekends like this. It's refreshing not having a selfish guy in my life. Feels freeing. Being single is confusing but the best part is meeting new people, putting yourself out there and just rolling with the punches!