By Chloe Halpin
It’s that time of year when store aisles burst with pink hearts and red roses.
Valentine’s Day traces back to ancient Rome and the legend of St. Valentine, a priest who was said to have secretly married couples after Emperor Claudius II banned young men from wedlock. Executed on February 14, Valentine later became associated with love and devotion.
The holiday also absorbed elements of earlier Roman festivals that celebrated fertility and pairing. Over centuries, handwritten love notes evolved into mass-produced cards and gifts, transforming the day into the modern celebration we know today.
Many dread this day, believing it’s another reminder that they are alone and have no romantic partner to sweep them off their feet with a surprise date and flowers. But I believe Valentine’s Day isn’t just about celebrating a relationship.
It’s also a reminder that love is all around you and comes in an abundance of different forms. Whether it’s your friends, family, or even your pet, it’s important to remember that love isn’t reserved for just one person on one day of the year.
While I believe you should love and spoil your partner every day of the year, there’s something special about humans dedicating a day to their loved ones. Life can get hectic and busy, especially with assignments, results, and jobs. It can be refreshing to sit down with those you love and acknowledge what they mean to you.
Looking back at old memories or even planning new ones, whether you’re on a fancy dinner date, walking through the park, or simply watching a movie on the couch. It’s important to take the time to show the people in your life that you’re there for them and that you see them.
It can be nerve-wracking waiting and hoping for someone to ask, “Will you be my Valentine?” or waking up and checking your letterbox for a card. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve started to see the day differently. Maybe it isn’t just about romantic love. Maybe it’s about appreciating the friends who always show up, the family who care unconditionally, or even learning to value yourself without waiting for someone else’s validation.
Valentine’s Day is a beautiful excuse to pour your love into the people you care about, the courage it takes to ask someone to be your Valentine, the surprise of flowers, and the feeling of being chosen, seen, and cherished. There’s something special about having a day that celebrates love so intentionally.
But love was never meant to live on just one date on the calendar. It shows up in the ordinary moments too, in tight hugs goodbye, in “text me when you get home,” in late-night talks, and in the casual “I love you” you say to your friends all year long. Those everyday gestures deserve just as much celebration.