Dear Valentine,

First off, let me just say that I hate Valentine’s Day. In my opinion, this holiday is just a way for big corporations to sell chocolate, roses and sadness to its consumers. I would much rather not celebrate at all but, in the spirit of love and sacrifice, here I am.

Secondly, don’t expect any roses. I don’t believe in them, they die and they’re expensive. I have been eating plain bread for lunch for three days straight, I don’t have a lot of spare change to spend on you, sorry.

Third, I’m not exactly a romantic person. My idea of a hot date is getting stoned, watching Animal Planet and eating ice cream. I hope you’re not looking for anything fancy and well-thought-out because the only thinking I have been doing lately is in my calculus class and I’m failing it anyways.

All that being said, I really can’t believe that this is our second Valentine’s Day spent together, I can’t believe that we have so many memories to share. Remember that one time that we woke up early and watched the sunrise from the back of my car? Or that other time that we snuck into the art museum downtown? Thinking back, that was probably not the best idea but it was one of the most fun days I’ve had with you. You mean the world to me, I care about you and I’m so excited to see all the amazing things you’re going to do with your life. Not to mention how hot you are. Netflix and chill sometime?

Yes, I know I’m not very festive during Valentine’s Day. Yes, I don’t have any money to spend on you and I don’t have a romantic bone in my body. I guess, at the end of the day, the reason I like you is that you’re the exact same way. I was scared that I wouldn’t ever find someone like you, someone who hates holidays, eats bread for lunch and has memorized the words in Animal Planet. I didn’t believe my friends when they told me that my true love was out there and my parents just assumed I would be single forever. I assumed so, too.

Look at me, getting sappy. Again, I hate Valentine’s Day. At least, I used to hate it until I found someone worth sharing it with. For so long my Feb. 14 was spent alone, in my room with salt and vinegar chips. I wasn’t complaining, but you are definitely better than chips. Now Feb. 14 means something to me. I can’t believe I’m saying this but maybe you’ve turned me into a slightly-romantic person. I hate you for that. I love you. Maybe next year I’ll save up some money so that we can be kinda sorta romantic. Maybe.

From, a Wildcat.

Kendall George can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @kendallmgeorge.