Ah, Valentine’s Day, that one day a year which celebrates love through oodles of chocolate, flowers, stuffed animals, and greeting cards.
Most people in a relationship enjoy this holiday, as it provides them with an opportunity to express their adoration for their significant other. However, those who are not in a relationship often dislike the holiday or possess indifferent feelings towards it, for it seems to serve no true purpose in their life. This only leaves us to ask ourselves: is Valentine’s Day simply a ploy for companies to make money? Does it actually have significance, or is it only relevant to those in a relationship?
Valentine’s Day is credited to Saint Valentine, a priest who lived in Rome during the third century. One legend states that Saint Valentine secretly married young couples despite Emperor Claudius’ restriction of marriage for young men, and was put to death for it. However, another legend claims that Saint Valentine was imprisoned, and eventually killed, for attempting to aid Christians in escaping from Roman prisons.
During his imprisonment, he supposedly sent a letter to possibly the jailer’s daughter, whom he fell in love with, and signed it, “From your Valentine”, hence the infamous expression. It is interesting that, rather than celebrate Saint Valentine for his honorable acts, society celebrates love and romance through trivial gifts. Sure, it is important for couples to express their love and appreciation for one another, but does the commercial aspect of Valentine’s Day actually allow for this to happen?
With the constant promotion of flowers, candy, and jewelry, as well as Valentine’s novelty items, the true meaning of Valentine’s Day is often lost. The concern becomes purchasing the perfect “V-Day” gift, rather than actually celebrating or recognizing the true meaning of love. The strong commercial aspect of Valentine’s Day, coupled with its blatant promotion of all things love and romance, cause many to become foes with the holiday.
The pressure to be in a relationship or have a date on February 14th each year often leads to high expectations and low self-esteem. Although Valentine’s Day is a widely celebrated holiday, it is fairly exclusive, for it seems as if one cannot fully enjoy themselves without sharing the day with a significant other. Thus some individuals choose not to celebrate the holiday at all, or congregate with friends and share their mutual aversion to the holiday (Galentine’s Day, anyone?).
Regardless of the fact that Valentine’s Day clearly favors the couples of the world, it still celebrates love, which can be interpreted in many different ways. It can be love for one’s significant other, family, or friends. Ultimately, the flowers, candy, jewelry, or teddy bears do not matter, so why should they have to act as validation of one’s love for another person?
So if you don’t wind up having a date for Valentine’s day this year, fear not. Spend it with your friends or family instead, the people who you don’t have to buy trivial items for to express your love and appreciation. However, you should treat yourself to a large heart shaped box of chocolates, because self-love is perhaps the most important love of all.
0
0
Average Rating