We have St. Valentine to thank for this glorified holiday—for going against the Roman emperor and secretly marrying young people while marriage among them was strictly prohibited. This edict was made because the emperor Claudias thought unmarried soldiers would fight better since they wouldn’t have a wife and children to worry about. But of course that didn’t stop people from wanting to marry their beloved significant others, as long as marriage was done within the Christian church. That’s just about as far as the romance aspect gets before Valentine was imprisoned, tortured and given a three part execution consisting of a beating, stoning and decapitation. He died for his stand for Christian marriage and is now a patron saint for lovers everywhere. His last written words were to a blind girl that he supposedly healed, which turn her father—Valentine’s judge—Christian after witnessing the power of prayer. He signed the letter “from your Valentine.” Basically, by asking someone if they would be your Valentine, you’re really asking would you suffer for me in the name of love?

Okay, that’s a little intense considering how we use it today, but that’s where the famous line “Will you be my Valentine?” came from. Our holiday greeting cards and chalky candy hearts carry it well.

I haven't been single on Valentine's Day in a very long time, since my freshman year of high school when I actually got asked out on Valentine's Day. Even as I had been single here and there since then, I had found myself in a relationship by February 14th every year. I've gotten the whole get-up numerous times—the corny stuffed animals, the jewelry, the box of chocolates (or chicken nuggets and Captain Morgan) and the expensive fancy dinner and a movie date. It's great to receive gifts like that on such a glorified day when they are expected by many, but I would be content without them. Maybe just give me the chocolate… that's totally fine.

But what happened to the good old days like in elementary school when this holiday was all-inclusive? We handed out treats and little cards with our favorite cartoon characters on them to all of our classmates, and we got ones from them in return. Now that is something that hasn't changed for me. No matter how old I get, I will probably still make Valentine cards and gift bags for my friends. I don't anticipate getting anything back; it's just the joy of gift-giving and sharing love for my friends in the cheesiest Hallmark Holiday way. I owe it all to my youthful, creative soul and urge to make people smile.

I currently have a boyfriend, and we show each other our love through gestures and small gifts all the time. This year we celebrated Love Day with friends and it couldn’t have been a more perfect and intimate get-together in its own amazing way. Fancy-shmancy date nights are cool, and I understand the lengths people go through to make this the best night of their partner's life but personally, we don’t need a holiday to make us feel obligated to do so.

We don't have to put down romance by shaming those who are in love or are in budding relationships. We should be rooting for them. If they want to celebrate with over-the-top gifts and a night out in dress shoes, let them!

And

We don't have to make single people feel bad by scrutinizing them for not being in a relationship. If they’re longing for romantic love, assure them that they’ll have it one day and encourage them to show love in other ways. If they love being single more than anything, don’t hold them to Single Awareness Day (S.A.D.) or rub it in their face that what they want is wrong.

The point is this:

Relationship or not, love isn’t limited to romance nor is it limited to one “special” day a year. Celebrate people, celebrate all love every day.