Valentine's Day

Jessica Patterson » Reporter

In the cold month of February, there is a holiday that is the biggest joke and waste of money in the history of holidays; Valentine’s Day. This holiday is a reason for lonely people to feel even lonelier, for men to forget once again to buy their significant others’ gifts, for money-pinched people to spend the remnants of their paycheck, and for women to become even more spoiled than they already are.
          Valentine’s Day is supposed to be the celebration of love, be it between family members, couples, or friends. It is a time meant to celebrate the bonds between people. To me, this is a logical reason to celebrate. The part that isn’t comprehensible, is why only one day? If someone is not able to wake up every day and realize where his/her heart lies, then it is hypocritical to declare love that does not chronically exist. If love is present in someone’s life, then it should be celebrated everyday and not subjected to one specific occasion. Love should be celebrated in the little moments of everyday life. The moments where you meet your boyfriend/girlfriend at your locker after a long day and everything seems to go right, when your mom cleans your favorite pair of jeans so you can wear them out that night, when your friends hold a surprise birthday party for you just because they care, or when just being with that significant person makes you smile for no special reason at all.
          To me, love can’t be bought. I’ve spent Valentine’s Day single and with another person and have experienced both the ups and downs of the holiday. Through both ordeals, I realized that I’ve come to question the morals of the people celebrating the holiday. Why waste money on a king-sized teddy bear when you could easily express your feelings just by saying a simple “thank you, I love you” every day you appreciate your loved ones? The most memorable moments to me are the unexpected ones, not the forced card I receive on Valentine’s Day, or the candy hearts I get because of the “holiday spirit”. The memorable moments of love for me are the ones that don’t have a specific date, yet they last so much longer; The unexpected moments on any night, where “I love you” might not be bought or said, but rather in the demeanors and actions of my loved ones around me.
          Whether you are spending the holiday unhappy to be alone, rushing through all the stores due to a faulty memory, deep in love for just one night, or buying the traditional paraphernalia of Valentines Day; the meaning will be lost and the day after will be just another day. When the next day comes, I will still be celebrating because I celebrate my Valentine’s Day every day of the year, just by saying that extra “I love you” to my parents before running out the door in the morning, by turning simple chores with my boyfriend into hours of laughing, or by helping my friends out when they need me the most. This Valentine’s Day, I encourage you to celebrate the way you want, to buy those $3 cards and go out to a fancy dinner, or to spend the night holed up in your home. But when Valentine’s Day is over and the red and pink decorations disappear; where will your love go? Will it hibernate until next year? Will it only be shown when it is most expected? Or will you embrace the meaning of Valentine’s Day and show your loved ones just how much they’re loved, every day of the year?