Love means a lot of things for a lot of different people. And one day every year we all come together to celebrate it in our own ways. Whether it's a romantic evening with your special someone or a “Mix me a Double, I'm Single” party with girlfriends, make sure that tonight you take time to appreciate and love the most important person out there. YOU.

Driven, professional women are always pegged as never putting themselves first. Not self-promoting enough, not giving themselves enough credit. Not appreciating everything they have to offer in a competitive, polarizing world like Washington, DC. I guarantee any woman reading this has gone through similar emotions post-real world entry. And yes, we need to come together and support one another, be women who help women, but before any of that can happen we must learn to love ourselves first.

To provide a little inspiration and assistance, here are a few things you can do to treat yourself this Valentine’s Day:

• Get your health and spa on, who doesn’t love a good massage!?
• Try out that new yoga class down the street, or go on that run you’ve been postponing…It’s always worth it in the end!
• Enjoy some champagne and spirits with friends
• Start a journal and write write write!  Get it all down and out of your system.  Maybe jump on the Ladies DC train and start a blog?  
• Call your parents and friends you miss back home, nothing replaces the feeling of connectivity more than talking with family
• Sport the bright red lips. You know you want to. 
• Wear a green mask—in front of everyone if you want
• Get dirty…with paint! Express yourself with the arts.  Whether it’s a song or a canvas—create!
• Volunteer.  There are fewer things in this world that will make you feel better.  There’s nothing like the selfish goodness that comes from helping others.
• Just lay!  Do nothing and do it for yourself 

So, as you explore the city tonight or choose to stay in, remember that you are your own woman of the week. Have a pink specialty cocktail or a chocolate truffle (or 1 or 2 or 3) and love on the goals you've reached, boundaries you pushed and professional advancements you continue to make. After all, you deserve it.

Happy Valentine's Day, Ladies DC!