I was flopped upon my bed just now when I realized that we actually need Valentine's Day around to balance out April Fool's Day. After all, when your sweetheart says, "I love you!" on April 1st, you're never really sure how sincere he's being. At least on Valentine's Day, the motives are clear, and, even if they aren't, you at least get candy to ease your pain.

Yes, maybe the holiday is over-commercialized, but there are worse things for marketing teams to promote than love and flowers and chocolate. I, for one, am a huge fan of Valentine's Day. Although, if I'm being honest, that wasn't always the case.

Up until recently, I loathed Valentine's day. I swore up and down to anyone who would listen, "I would issue a royal decree banning this holiday if not for all the tasty treats involved." But then, my Clubber boys took me by surprise last year. A whole posse of them traipsed over from their floor to the courtyard outside my dorm room and presented me with chocolate, a bouquet of roses, and a healthy dose of hugs.

It was the cutest thing ever.

This year, as I gobbled down a heart-shaped pizza . . .

. . . and glanced at my presents from my mom . . .

. . . I realized that it's kinda nice to be reminded once in a while of all the loving and lovable people (and sock monkeys) in my life.