Happy Valentine’s Day! In other words, Singles Awareness Day, Galentine’s Day, or just another Tuesday. February 14th is supposed to be the day of love, where people exchange love notes or other tokens of affection like chocolates and flowers. It is safe to say that almost everyone loved Valentine’s Day as a child. I mean, nothing compared to the class Valentine’s Day party where you get to give and receive cards from all your friends, and if you were lucky, some sweet treats too. However, as I have gotten older, I have noticed Valentine’s Day has stopped being about class parties and candy. Instead, it has started to be about boyfriends and girlfriends celebrating their relationships, while single people mourn their lack of a relationship. All over Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, you can see posts of other people sharing how much they love their partner and how grateful they are to have found them. Although we should be glad for those people, it usually leaves others feeling horrible about themselves. It makes the holiday feel like it is only for an exclusive group, where only the elite can join; the elite being anyone in a relationship, while all single people are shamelessly cast aside.

It is very common for people to have mixed feelings about this holiday. Many hate Valentine’s Day, claiming it is just a marketing scam created by greeting card companies and chocolate industries to make money. Some find this occasion quite stressful since they constantly try to figure out what to get their partner. Others feel lonely and upset, saying, “the only men I need in my life are Ben and Jerry.” However, most people typically feel all of these emotions, just at different points in their life. Personally, I believe Valentine’s Day does not need to be as dramatic as some people make it out to be. 

History.com describes Valentine’s Day as a holiday that “..occurs every February 14, across the United States and other places worldwide, candy, flowers, and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine.” However, nowhere in that sentence does it mention “couples only” or “singles not allowed.” Love is a fantastic thing, and the best part about love is that there are so many different kinds. The Ancient Greeks had several words for love, allowing them to distinguish between various kinds. According to the article, Seven Types of Love, created by Elizabeth Rider, a few of them include Eros- romantic love, Philia- love of friends and equals, Storge- unconditional, familial love, and Philautia- Self Love. So, let go of all these dumb notions that Valentine’s Day is a marketing scam or that it is the only day of the year where you can truly show someone you love them. Ideologies like that are overplayed, outdated, and should go the same way as its Saint- executed. Instead, remember that today is the day of love, all love, any love, and every love. Happy Valentine’s Day to all!