I might be biased because it falls on my birthday, but I have always loved Valentine’s Day. (I may or may not be wearing a cupid t-shirt while writing this). What’s not to like about making cards, watching rom-coms, and seeing little hearts on everything?
As I’ve gotten older, though, I’ve noticed more and more that most people don’t feel the same. Some call it a made-up holiday that’s meant to sell things. Some people sink into sadness or outright resentment if they aren’t in a romantic relationship. I think we’re thinking about this all wrong.
Valentine’s Day has existed, in some capacity, for centuries. Though it has certainly become heavily commercialized over time and has always skewed toward the romantic, that does not mean that the underlying message of love isn’t one that deserves to be spread. And here’s the thing: romantic love is not the only kind of love there is.
In a 2010 Parks and Recreation episode, we learn that protagonist Leslie Knope organizes “Galentine’s Day” each year on February 13 to celebrate her love for her mother and girlfriends. That’s how I’ve always seen Valentine’s Day itself — as a time to send a little extra love to my friends and family.
Valentine’s Day is a time to focus on any and all of the love you have. If you’re spending the day with a significant other, great. If you’re celebrating your “gals” like Leslie, that’s great, too! You don’t have to spend any money to appreciate the important people in your life.
That being said, there’s also nothing wrong with buying a little gift occasionally! A single stuffed animal that brings a smile to someone’s face isn’t the root of all worldly evils.
So, Happy Valentine’s Day! I know I’ll never convince everyone to love it as I do in a single short article, but a shot at putting a little more love out in the world is always worth it. Plus, I’ll never not be excited to have something to say back to people when they tell me, “Happy Birthday!”
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