February 14th: The day that some people absolutely love and the day that some people dread all year. The day that everywhere you turn around you are bombarded with pink and red hearts and flowers. So what actually comes to mind when people think of Valentine's Day? Six-foot tall teddy bears, boxes of chocolates in every shape, size, and arrangement possible, a dozen roses everywhere you turn, and way to much PDA on every corner. It's clear to see why some people dread it, right? Imagine being the only single person out of all of your friends, and having to arrive to class or to work and being swarmed by all of these heartfelt gifts. And then, of course, trying to go out for some dinner or out for some quiet drinks is pretty much impossible because every bar and restaurant in the city is filled with cute couples and again, their undying PDA. And I guarantee if you ask any of them, who St. Valentine actually is or what he did, they will have no idea what you're talking about.
Now don't get me wrong here: I have a boyfriend who I love dearly, and yeah, we do celebrate Valentine's Day. We eat something nice for dinner and maybe go to see a movie after. But we don't nearly go as far fetched and as out there as some young couples these days. Sometimes it seems that the true meaning of Valentine's Day is gone. Many girls in today's society see Valentine's Day, as a day to pick the most expensive restaurant in town, get their bae to spend extortionist amounts of money, and show off all of their new gifts and flowers on Insta. And a lot of boys, well they see Valentine's Day as the day to make up for all of the mistakes throughout the rest of the year and show just how much they do really love their boo. But why only on this one day? What about the other 364 days of the year? Don't you guys love each other then, too? February 14th shouldn't be any different from any other day, in terms of showing your significant other just how much you love them! All the surprise flowers showing up at their doorstep, and the surprise date, why not do this on a random Saturday afternoon. Don't just love them for one day.
Valentine's Day shouldn't be a day to make up for the lack of affection showed throughout the rest of the year. And don't use it as a day to expect your loved one to completely break the bank for you. Why does Valentine's Day have to be associated with diamond necklaces and bouquets of flowers than can cost anywhere up to a couple hundred dollars.
Here're some ideas that will make your Valentine's Day more romantic than ever, while also being cheap and cheerful, personal, and sentimental...
What about a long walk or a hike through the pretty countryside, finished with a picnic? Or maybe watching the sunset by the water, and ending with a picnic! Instead of buying them an expensive gift, Pinterest that shit, and make them something homemade. Why not even write them a poem? Sometimes the simplest of things can mean the most. And I think that showing your boyfriend or girlfriend that you care, should be a simple and effortless thing. A thing that doesn't just come around once a year, but happens each and every single day. A thing that shouldn't be based off of money and high-cost items. A thing that shouldn't be measured by the size of the teddy bear and box of chocolates they receive.
So instead of waiting until February 14th to tell, the one, that you love them, why don't do it today. Remind them that you love them every minute of the day, every day of the week and every month of the year (let's face it, we still love them even through all the silly arguments and mood swings). And not just for those 24 hours that has seemed to become way more than remembering Saint Valentine himself! But with all of that being said, go and enjoy your Valentine's Day, no matter what you intend to do with it! And remember, that someone loves you all the time!
