I was that kid who would make candygrams for every student in my class the night before Valentine's Day. I'd pick out the most gender-neutral valentines set available in Target, along with three or four sheets of heart stickers, which I'd later put on the candy-grams, but more so on my hands and face.

The next morning, I would embrace one of the few dress-down days of the year by grabbing my cutest pink or red shirt and popping on my jeans and Converse. Of course, I couldn't leave the house without red ribbons at the tips of my two braids, or candy bracelets on my wrist. I'd finally descend the steps of the side door, grinning because there was probably a napkin-wrapped heart-shaped sandwich in my lunchbox -- my mom's cookie-cutter creations were prettier than those of all the girls at my lunch table.

Not being a big fan of chocolate, I'd come home on Valentine's Day with my tongue blue from eating too much Fun Dip, and my stomach hurting from too many Pop Rocks. It was hands down one of the best days of the school year.

Years later, Valentine's Day still excites me.

As I accepted a bag of Dum Dums at the entrance of my dorm this weekend, I was first happy to learn that candy-grams are still a thing at my age.

Yet, the Dum Dums got me thinking about the holiday. Valentine's Day is so widely celebrated and valued, not because it is a day to show our love to our family and friends, but because it serves as a reminder to demonstrate our love every other day of the year, too.

Feb. 14 taps us on the back and says, "Hey, you're awesome." It lifts up our chins and says, "Hey, I care about you."

And I think we all need that reminder. Because as cheesy as it sounds, love is everywhere, but not just on Valentine's Day.

Love is in the books that a student moved aside so you can sit at the desk next to her. Love is in the smile that the barista gave you as she handed you your latte. Love is in that guy that let you cross your car over to his lane so that you could make a right turn at the light. Love is in the cab driver who offered me a free ride just because I talked to him the whole trip.

I like Valentine's Day because it encourages me to become more aware of this love and to display it to others more often.

Because along with the heart-shaped sandwiches and packets of jelly beans, Valentine's Day is there to boost us up. It's there to say, "You're loved, don't you forget that, and show it to others as well."

And we can't say "I love you" too many times.