Although Cupid’s intentions are pure, he causes a lot of anxiety each year. Especially for the single crowd. Instead of celebrating love, or the mere possibility of it, Valentine’s Day gets a bad rap. “Singles Awareness Day” becomes the most dreaded day of the year for those not spoken for, cluttered with tattered hearts and boxes of tissues.
This year, let’s switch our mindset and embrace the day with gratitude. In fact, some of my favorite Valentine memories include years I was single and enjoyed nights out with my dearest friends.
And to be honest, I have a collection of Valentine’s Days gone awry, when I was attached to a beau. Many of them ended in high expectations of a magical night shattered with mediocrity. The silver lining is when single, you manage your own expectations.
Here are five ways to embrace Valentine’s Day on your own terms.
Rise, shine, and reach for a mimosa. The team at Dallas Bites Food Tours likes to start the morning of Feb. 13 with a little sparkle on their Morning and Mimosas Tour. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., they host brunch and beyond. This transportation-provided tour kicks off with chocolate croissants at Village Baking Company, followed by a slew of brunch hot spots, such as Chicken Scratch. Champagne consumption is encouraged throughout the tour (even while en route on the bus). This package deal is $56 per person. The Dallas Bites Food Tours team also has a wide array of dessert-centric tours on Feb. 14, with prices ranging from $43 to $115.
Hop to It. One of the newest breweries in town, Three Nations Brewing, is opening up its doors for a Special Valentine’s Edition of Brewery Tours from noon to 3 p.m. on Feb. 13. You can come and go during this time period, but guided tours are at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. The tour costs $10 per person, and you will leave with a souvenir pint glass and three pints of beer in your belly. And perhaps some new single friends.
Shake it off. Start Saturday night with a bang and make your singleness prominent at W Dallas‘ The Friend Zone. The event is specifically catered to the unattached and takes place 33 floors above the Dallas skyline, with a deejay on deck and a cash bar. The event kicks off at 10 p.m. Feb. 13. Tickets are $25 per person, and hopes of finding a new flame at this rendezvous are high.
Visit the heart of the city. Klyde Warren Park is somewhat of a go-to. When I have visitors in town, I often take them to the park because it’s a great representation of the pulse of the city. The park offers a little bit of everything, from food trucks to the free trolley to the countless activities they offer each day. Valentine’s weekend is no different. From 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 13, festivities will take place for all ages, as the park hosts its Hearts in the Park celebration. Spend a night under the stars with friends.
Main image via BrilliantEarth.com.