While Valentine’s Day has passed, I’d like to express my opinion on the day all about love. While I have been very single for the past 18 years of my life, I’ve never felt alone or sad on this day. I was always distracted by the candy and presents my parents would give me, everyone around me was also single and, as a guy, I don’t get a lot of the pressure from the media to feel alone on Valentine’s Day.
What I have noticed over the years is people harping on this holiday, stating that it shouldn’t exist and you should love your friends, family and special someone all year-round. But I would have to disagree. Although I do think it is important to express your feelings all 365 days of the year, I like that we have a day when people focus all of their love and affection. Feb. 14 could be called “Appreciation Day,” a day for showing everyone around you just how much you care. Just how the Fourth of July celebrates our independence, and our birthday obviously celebrates our birth, Valentine’s Day is meant to celebrate our love and I think that’s important.
For those who are single and bitter, I say “cheer up!” Go celebrate your “Galentine’s Day” with your girlfriends, or hangout with your bros, or go out to dinner with your entire group of friends. Instead of thinking of the 14th as your annual reminder that you’re single, change your mindset and use the 14th as a day to acknowledge those people around you whom you love and who love you back. Having really great friends is more important than having a boyfriend or girlfriend, and who knows, that best friend could turn into a potential sweetheart.
I spent my Valentine’s Day laughing and hanging out with some of the best people I’ve met since coming to college. I think there’s a different type of affection between me and my friends; when I look at them all I can think is “I appreciate you.” Maybe it’s because I always share my feelings with people and I’m just a guy with a lot of emotions, but I’ve always liked this day. Love is in the air, no matter if it’s for your parents, siblings, friends, teachers, animals, strangers or anything else.
So in conclusion, I believe you should tell people you love them everyday. Don’t be negative just because you’re single, and especially don’t be a downer on a day all about love. Focus your energy on being positive and spreading that joy to your friends and family. To the naysayers who think Valentine’s Day shouldn’t exist and that it’s just a “Hallmark Holiday,” adjust your thinking and grow up.
As I grow older and gain more life experience, I could possibly become jaded and begin to hate this holiday too, but hopefully the Grinch in all of us can stay inside and we can cherish the people we love. I hope everyone had a happy Valentine’s Day and will learn to love the day just as much as a single person like myself can.
Owen is a freshman writer for The Daily Cardinal. Do you agree with his take? Do you enjoy Valentine’s Day? Tell us what you think. Please send all comments to opinion@dailycardinal.com
