Did you have a nice Valentine’s Day yesterday? You did? That’s great! I’m so happy for you . . . not!

I, myself, spent the day inside my apartment hunched by the window, holding two flaps of my shades open just enough for me to shoot daggers outside at the happy couples walking around in loving bliss. I just happen to have a nice view of a street with a number of restaurants and shops where the love birds walked around in the loving glow of red colored Valentine’s Day love lights.

For those in love, it must be a wonderland. For the rest of us, it’s a chance to get our creep on as we sit by the window listening to sad love ballads and swearing if we ever run into Cupid we’ll punch him in the face. . . well at least that’s what some of us do.

Sound a little bitter? Don’t worry; it’s really just a gregarious cover for poorly disguised jealousy. It wasn’t the greatest year for love in the mysterious world of Mr. Event for some mysterious reason. Still, I can’t say though that I’m not looking forward to the possibility that Valentine’s Day 2013 will find me walking around in the glow of love with a woman I’ve somehow tricked into thinking I’m pretty cool to be with.

I did some research. This year, it’s estimated that the average American man spent just shy of $170 yesterday. 150 million greeting cards will be sent (coming in at $4-$5 a pop, that’s around $1billion). About 120 million roses will be sold the day before, the day of and the day after Valentine’s Day.

That’s a lot of scratch.

I’ve been on both ends of the Valentine’s spectrum. There have been years where I’ve had someone in my life that I’ve gone crazy for. There are other years where I haven’t. Some years I did the traditional restaurant and roses, and others where I have thought out of the box.

I have to admit, this is an area where I could use some serious help. I’ve been to parties where only single people were allowed (full of over the top party favors like broken heart candies and “Cupid Stinks” posters). I’ve been to parties where only couples were allowed (full of over the top party favors like huge heart candies and “Cupid Rules” posters). I’ve had picnics on the beach or expensive dinners at the top of skyscrapers. I’ve bought flowers and chocolates. I’ve baked cakes (or tried to).

I’m not too sure that any have ever been better than the others. What has been your experience? What’s the best Valentine ’s Day you’ve ever had? What do you expect out of Valentine’s Day? Were you the one walking around holding hands this year, or the person across the way from me also scowling out their window?!