Dear Valentine's Day,
With February 14 around the corner, we need to talk. Sometimes, I think you've forgotten where you came from. Although there is some debate as to who the real St. Valentine is, I can assure you that in Ancient Rome, there was no supermarket with aisles lined with chocolate boxes, cheesy cards and bouquets of flowers to make singles drown in self-pity and leave each couple fearing they have not done enough.
Even worse, children in elementary schools worry about having the coolest Valentine's Day cards with the most desirable candy taped to the back. A holiday that was once meant to celebrate romance has turned into a commercialized day of who can buy the best gift or the most junk to validate a relationship. What happened to you?
As much as I appreciate the love in the air around February 14, I want to send two reminders to those caught up in the materialistic holiday that Valentine's Day has become. I hope you'll share them.
To couples everywhere: The health of your relationship is not a measure of how cute the teddy bear you bought is or how lavish the jewelry you picked out is. It shouldn't matter if you have dinner at the most dimly lit and aphrodisiac-serving restaurant in town or on the couch with endless amounts of Chinese takeout. If you can take the time to appreciate each other, you're truly embracing what I believe St. Valentine really wanted for you.
To singles everywhere: Do not drown yourself in heart-shaped sweets and scoff at every couple that walks by. Alright, gorge yourself in lots of chocolate (because no one deserves to be deprived of such deliciousness). But do remember that although you might think the world is out to remind you about your singleness, it really isn't.
You might feel alone and frustrated, but you shouldn't let the heart-shaped boxes and decorations all around dictate your self-worth. You do not deserve to feel that way. You are amazing on your own. If you let all these industries banking on couples get to you, you let them win. You're hot stuff -- own it!
Valentine's Day, make St. Valentine proud! Go back to your roots and celebrate love this February 14, whether that's spending time with a romantic partner or your puppy (TBH, most often I'd pick the puppy).
It's not all roses and bears.
