Come February, everybody is a fool for love. Between all the red, white, and pink balloons floating around, extra discounts on huge boxes of chocolate, and the abundance of flowers alongside commercials rushing me to get gifts for that special someone before it’s too late, sometimes I feel like I must be the only single lady for miles and miles. Even when Valentine’s Day isn’t around the corner, it seems like love is the hot topic on any given day. All my favorite TV characters seem to be involved in complex relationships and tawdry affairs, whether they’re on the Disney Channel or MTV. I can’t listen to my iPod or the radio for more than 10 minutes without hearing about some man trying to win his lady back, some girl crushing on a beautiful demi-god, or somebody crying about how love hurts. Honestly, it can make me feel a little lonesome.

It may be hard to realize when you watch your favorite movie about boy meets girl and they find happily ever after, or when you’re listening to all the music about someone finding the most amazing thing on Earth in their significant other, but not everyone around you is in a relationship and not everyone is thinking about being in one. That doesn’t mean you won’t ever have a chance to be in one again or that your current relationship won’t last, it just means that there is nothing odd about being single and you shouldn’t feel rushed to change that or sad about the fact that you aren’t in a particular time in your life where you’re with someone who you like or love. Look at Tyra Banks; that woman invented fierce, and she was single for how long? And Oprah practically owns the world; she has a steady boyfriend, but you don’t see her in any rush to settle down in the traditional sense. Clearly, relationships are an important part of life; it’s also clearly not the end of the world if you don’t happen to be in one.

So, in honor of all the ladies on Valentine’s Day, of course I want to talk about love, dating, relationships, and hot men. But in honor of all these same ladies who are suffering from romance overload, I want to put some things in perspective.

1. There would be no Grey’s Anatomy if everyone got married in college.
Yes, I know it seems like the college sweethearts are the ultimate dream couple, but, believe it or not, there is life after college. I mean, it may be silly to think of it this way, but considering that art imitates life, the fact that half of my favorite TV shows and movies are about people dealing with relationships after college, I think it’s clear that if I don’t find the perfect man now, this won’t be my last chance. When I graduate from Harvard, there’s still going to be graduate school, there’s going to be my first job, my first awkward “met a guy in a bar” experience and all that good stuff. On top of that, dating at Harvard is weird. No offense—there are those random couples that make it work, and I congratulate them—but we go to a school where people are trying to cure cancer and pull entire nations out of poverty, so I guess we have to excuse some men for not concentrating on all the beautiful ladies around them. It’s okay, there are plenty more men where they came from, and you’ve got plenty of time to meet them.

2. The Millionaire Matchmaker does not know what she's talking about.
I admit I am an avid follower of different relationship gurus. At times, I think Steve from VH1’s Tough Love should be given some sort of award and the Millionaire Matchmaker must be speaking directly with God. But when you think about it, how many articles have you read telling you to be shy and demure and then next month read something that said be bold and spontaneous? I’ve read so many times that I need to be the life of the party to get a guy’s attention and yet, randomly, some cute guy will approach me when I look like I’m about to fall asleep on the spot at a soiree. No matchmaker, columnist or anyone knows the exact thing that can work for every girl in every situation. All you can do is try to stick to whatever makes you feel comfortable and try to avoid embarrassment. After that, it’s all trial and error.

3. The U.S. Census reports that 12% of all marriages include younger men with older women.
Why you’re over there crying about being single, you completely disregard younger men. Think about it: Especially at Harvard, these men are probably just as smart and mature as you are ,and if they’re willing to be in a relationship and you’re feeling him, girl, age ain’t nothing but a number. And clearly, you won’t be the only one in America dating younger. I’m not trying to sound like a creeper, I’m just saying ...

4. Seal and Heidi Klum are married.
I don’t know anyone who finds Seal to be the most physically attractive man out there, but that man is with Heidi Klum. If you’ve ever heard this woman speak about this man, you know that she is in deep, deep, deep love. So, maybe it’s time we stop judging men by the way they look and just let our guard down so we can meet some really sweet individuals. I mean, if you can find an attractive man, by all means girl, keep him, but I’m just saying good men come in all shapes, sizes, colors, etc., and them not being the next Orlando Bloom or whoever should not make him any less of a catch for you.

5. Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time.
-Maya Angelou
If you’re not in love or in a relationship right now, it’s just not your time. Do you really think a person that would understand how unique you are and appreciate all your little quirks would be easy to find and always accessible? Probably not, but when he comes around, it’ll make the wait that much more worth it.

So, even though it may be hard to see this month with all the red heart confetti falling from the sky, everyone hasn’t found love yet, but you got time, girl! Happy Valentine’s Day to all my single ladies!