From The Archives: 2013 Singles Awareness Day
The anti-Valentine holiday arrives in Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — More than 20 years ago, high school student Dustin Barnes decided that those who didn’t have a Valentine should get a special day too.
So, he created Singles Awareness Day at his school.
Then he took it to Mississippi State.
Now, it is an unofficial holiday all over the world.
For our Thursday Throwback, we take you back ten years to when the movement was first catching on in Chattanooga.
Here is that story from 2013:
If you found yourself single on Valentine’s Day without any flowers or chocolate from a significant other, a new holiday could make up for it.
Maurice Clark, Smokey Bones Manager said, ” So, it’s the day after Valentine’s Day when everyone wants to, as a single person, give themselves some love and treat yourself to something.”
Chelsea Thomason said, “I love national single day because this is the first time I haven’t had a Valentine and I feel awesome.”
Walker Montgomery said, “I am single because I love being independent. My parents raised me that way and I would rather have a fun girls night out than with a guy.”
Brittney Romines said, “I am very happy I’m single. You don’t have people barking in your ear on where you are at or what you are doing, what time you are coming home. You can just go back and enjoy your day yourself.”
Pictures of flowers, gifts and happy couples bombarded Chris Campo’s social network pages all day. He said, “We’re so happy Valentine’s Day is over. We’ve seen enough of that. Now the singles can show themselves and go out and be themselves.”
Smokey Bones on Gunbarrel Road reached out to the singles. They gave out free appetizers and introduced new drinks for singles to mingle.
Smokey Bones Manager Maurice Clark said, “Because they’ve been seeing all the couples going out and watching everyone go on dates, so today is the day we treat ourselves.”
In Chattanooga, Megan Wise, WDEF News 12.
Just one more note on the holiday:
Little did Dustin know 22 years ago that he would eventually meet his future wife at a Singles Awareness Day event at Mississippi State.
