Girlfriend Power

February 14 dawned cold and wet and gray. It seemed fitting. My husband, George, and I had separated after 35 years of marriage and were headed for divorce. For the first time in decades, I wasn’t part of a couple. For the first time in my life, I was living alone. My new house didn’t feel like home. How could it after only three weeks?

Why, oh why, had I said I’d go to my friend Pat’s Valentine’s party? “Celebrate with other singles at a girls’ night in,” the invitation read. “Food! Music! Games! Fun!”

When I’d called to beg off, Pat wouldn’t hear of it. “I know you’re