Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and this is true for St. Valentine’s Day. It is a wondrous thing to be with the one you love. And St. Valentine was persecuted, endeavouring to maintain a pagan right of choice and the union of loving partnership.

There are occasions when a couple may find they are separated on this day of love. It can be depressing, especially if they are used to being together and their valentine is not with them. So what do they do? Here are some suggestions.

There are couples that are in a long distance relationship. They’re probably already used to spending important days such as Valentine’s Day, anniversaries and other holidays apart, so it’s not really a problem for them. Nevertheless, there are ways they, too, can spice up their celebration of Valentine’s Day together. Renting the same movie is a nice idea; with the mobile to hand they can operate “virtually speaking” and watch the movie together. If they use the Skype phone and/or use it through your computer it won’t cost them any money. The couple can chat away ad infinitum; all the while they’re watching the movie together. Also ordering in the same type of food, such as pizza or Chinese, may give the evening even more of a familiar spin – a feeling of togetherness for a little while.

If the couple is unfortunate too find they are spending Valentine’s Day apart due to an unexpected business trip this is particularly difficult. The couple is not used to being apart on important days and most likely don’t have a great deal of time to prepare for it. As soon as they know about it they must discuss what they are going to do. Essentially it should be deciding if and when to set a side a time to celebrate: before they separate or after they’re back together. Of course it’s important for the couple to try to at least have some contact on Valentine’s Day even if it is over the phone, email or web cam. This at least may give a sense of being together; the idea is not to feel too distant or apart.

Having flowers or a special message delivered to your partner while you are separated are oldies but goodies and a great gesture of caring.

Then there are those who cannot spend Valentine’s Day together because one or both of them have work that involves odd shifts. This could include doctors, fire-fighters, police officers or a variety of other similar professions. Individuals in this type of situation have to generally accommodate and adjust to their odd schedule and make time to be together outside of working hours. In this case the best way to deal with being apart on Valentine’s Day is to plan on celebrating together when it is more convenient. This may not seem like the most romantic option but sometimes it is important to remember that you love your partner every day of the year and you don’t have to be together on Valentine’s Day to prove your love for each other.

Last there are those who don’t have a partner. So what do they do?

• Do something nice for yourself like taking a long, hot bath by candlelight, or pull out your credit card and a catalogue and have ‘fun.’
• Rent or go to an action movie, preferably one in which at least one of the prospective love interests gets killed off near the beginning! (James Bond films are a good bet for this.) Avoid romantic “date” movies completely, unless you like feeling melancholy.
• Buy yourself a bouquet of your favourite flowers or a box of your favourite chocolates – at least you get to choose exactly what you want this way!
• Do something you’ve never done before and pretend you are a tourist for the day here in Cayman. There’s a whole host of things I bet you’ve never done or visited. Go to one of the visitor activities and excursions sites. There are lots.
• Go somewhere that isn’t likely to be pushing the Valentine’s Day theme. Sporting or theatrical events are good possibilities.
• Have some fun with your other single friends. Rent movies and get takeout food, go to a nightclub, or have dinner together at a nice restaurant. Call it an “Un-Valentine” party if you like.
• Call or write to someone you’ve lost touch with – could be just a friend, or someone you once had a crush on.
• Help brighten the day for someone else who may be spending it alone: take some flowers to the Pines.