Happy Valentine's singletons! Now let's get pissed!

[Chemical Alia]

You guys shouldn't feel too bad. I've been in the same relationship for eight years and have yet to be surprised with anything on Valentine's Day by my boyfriend v:

Wow, your life sounds hard. Your boyfriend isn't spontaneous enough to meet your expectations for a made-up holiday monopolized on to sell chocolate and flowers? And I thought my life is hard, you know, being a social pariah and all.

I'm almost 30 and Valentine's Day reminds me that I spent the better part of the past decade in a relationship with someone who has never shown me any real thoughtfulness, whether on special occasions or day-to-day. It's depressing because it's something I know not to expect with him. It's depressing because I have no expectations at all. I don't need flowers or chocolate, but feeling appreciated is always nice.

You lament being a social pariah, but what would you want in a relationship, if not affection or knowing that you are appreciated? This confuses me.