In I Corinthians 13, Paul paints a picture of love that's anything but the societal norm. Love isn't a lavishly adorned three-week infatuation with Mr. Wonderful that leads to a fairy tale wedding a couple of months later. Love isn't getting a pile of presents from the pink sea of Valentine's trinkets at Target. It's patient, the exact opposite characteristic of our instant gratification society.

And after lots of further investigation and the comforting encouragement of good friends, I slowly began to take these words to heart. Whether or not I'm in a romantic relationship, I'm required to be the kind of woman who loves others and is worth loving. I needed to learn how to keep fewer records of wrongs when I'd point out people I thought didn't deserve the happiness they experienced on February 14 and truly be happy for them. I also needed to focus more on my first love than daydreaming about a dating relationship making me feel like a completely loved person. Because no human being can ever make you feel completely loved.

Now, while I still may get weepy from time to time when I watch a romantic comedy like Notting Hill, I handle Valentine's Day with more of an elementary school approach. In fact, we're handing out cartoonish Valentine cards as a joke at work today while consuming unorthodox amounts of sugar. And then I'm going bowling and watching some good movies with my single friends, knowing full well (and not just because my Mom told me), that God has special blessings for me ahead. And as an added bonus, I'll be even more of a blessing as I continue to become more patient and kind in the meantime.

Christa Farris current lives in Nashville, Tenn. and serves as the editor for CCMmagazine.com and a Contributing Editor for CCM Magazine.