Is Valentine's Day BS? Eligible In's Hot Takes on a Heart-Shaped Holiday.

When one of the behind-the-scenes editors of Eligible In guest-hosts an episode, things get interesting. But when that editor also happens to be the tennis coach of one of the actual hosts of Eligible In and nominates her to be the next eligible guest…that's the plot twist we didn't see coming.

Meet Coco. She’s the one who usually asks the questions, but this week finds herself in the hot seat. AND there’s a theme. We’re talking about Valentine’s Day.

What makes someone who interviews eligible guests actually eligible themselves? According to Michael, Coco’s friend and tennis coach, it's her remarkable ability to dive into the unfamiliar with both intensity and vulnerability. She's the type of person who can walk into a foreign country alone and walk out with a new perspective and probably a few friends. Speaking of diving into potentially uncomfortable territory, we tackled the Valentine's Day question. Is it a Hallmark holiday or something more? For Coco, it's an evolution depending on where you are in life…she recalls elementary school card exchanges (which she thinks we should petition to bring back as adults), and a tradition originating in 2014 of watching Valentines Day the movie and the most treasured memories: receiving chocolate-covered strawberries from her mom.

But this Valentine's Day, we're diving deeper. Into the loneliness that creeps in whether we're single, coupled, or somewhere in between. Coco admits sometimes it overcomes her–and that's okay. Because what makes her (and this show) special is the willingness to sit with that vulnerability, to acknowledge that sometimes being alone feels lonely, and often it feels like freedom. Embracing the alone can be an art form, a song to oneself, as Alice and Coco both remind us.

And there you have it–a glimpse into the heart and mind behind the interviews. Because if there's one thing we've learned from Coco, it's that being eligible isn't just about being available--it's about being open to life's adventures, embracing the quiet moments, and finding meaning in the connections we choose to make, whether with others or ourselves. As Michael says so beautifully, we can blame capitalism for commercializing love, but at the end of the day, we choose what holds meaning.

Happy Valentine's Day from all of us at Eligible In. Maybe this year we'll bring back those card exchanges after all. 💌

If you would like to connect with Coco, reach out below 👇

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