Will you have a date for Valentine’s Day?

We all love a good fairy tale.

Boy meets girl online.

They connect by messaging, first meet on a video chat and finally meet in person on a social distanced date.

There is attraction.

And they're both comfortable including each other in their "people bubbles."

He asks her out for a date for Valentine's Day (which is a Sunday evening this year!)

And Voila! They have a date for Valentine's Day.

If it were only so easy!

So, what I'm hearing from my clients now is "I'd love a date for Valentine's Day."

It can happen just as it has for a couple of my clients.

However, although I hate to burst your proverbial bubble, it's unlikely this scenario will happen for you this year.

Think about it.

First, look at the effort you have to make to get to 3 to 6 dates with someone. (That's the number of dates it typically takes my clients before they become exclusive with someone.)

Do you want to be with someone who's practically a complete stranger on Valentine's Day?

And what if the relationship or your potential mate doesn't turn out to be what you expected?

Do you want that kind of pressure early on in a relationship?

Hopefully not, because this kind of pressure won't serve your relationship in the long run.

So, let's talk about what's realistic today.

You're communicating with several people and you're in the weeding out phase.

You'll probably meet a couple of them.

Between your schedules and COVID, you'd be lucky to get one or two actual dates in before February 14th. And if you live where it's cold, that may add another obstacle to meeting this special someone.

So, what proactive stance can you take with respect to Valentine's Day this year?

I've always felt that Valentine's Day was a day to make someone feel special and loved.

This can be your children, your parents, or a best friend. Just think about who you love that needs cheering up. (And these days it's almost everyone!)

A few special things you might consider doing are:

• Delivering cupcakes and a teddy bear with a big red heart. This would make anyone's day.
• Sending an e-card.
• Setting up a Zoom family get-together.

The key here is to show you care about someone special in your life.

And showing you care for those special people in your life who want the best for you is much more important than being with a virtual stranger whose motivations you don't yet know.

What I'm suggesting is that you reframe your thoughts about Valentine's Day.

Take the pressure off yourself. Give yourself the time to find someone you really want to spend time with instead of a person who just happens to be available for Valentine's Day.

You can go back to your usual dating efforts after Valentine's Day and let nature take its course. If it's meant to be, it will work out. Trust the process. (Afterall, finding a mate has been going on since the dawn of mankind!)

And if you need some support and help navigating the dating scene, then let's talk. Go to the link in the comments to set up a time for us to get you on the right path to finding true love! 

This is a great time to meet your true love. Those seriously searching, are putting great energy into this endeavor right now.

Wishing you the best for love and life.