Reminder: Valentine’s is about love, not pressure

We’re all too familiar with the annoyance of Valentine’s Day. The stores put the decorations up too early, there’s all this pressure to have a valentine and to surprise them with something special; not to mention being single on this day “sucks”… but personally, I love Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day (while the origins of the holiday are not universally agreed upon) is an entire day about love! Who doesn’t love love? And I know, being single on this holiday feels as though there’s a spotlight on your marital status, but I think being single on Valentine’s Day (and trust me, I’ve been single for a lot of them) is almost more fun than being in a relationship.

When you’re in a relationship on Valentine’s Day there seems to be this expectation for you to spend the day’s entirety with your partner; but being single allows you the freedom to buy cards for your closest friends, express your affection and appreciation for them, and spend valuable time with them. Not to mention, it’s an excuse to get drunk on a Tuesday.

I understand hating the commercialization of the holiday. It’s frustrating feeling obligated to buy flowers, chocolates, or cards; and there’s the view that if you want to do something special for someone it shouldn’t be isolated to a single day, and I agree with that sentiment; however, it’s hard to set aside that much time for special people in your life.

Most of us go to work, school, extra-curriculars…it makes for a real struggle to make grandiose statements. This year, I spent my Valentine’s Day with some of the most valuable people in my life, exchanging chocolate, drinks, and cards.

Sure, we could do that any day I suppose, but that would retract from the event’s unique nature. It’s a day to be surrounded by those you love, and that love you…what’s so horrible about that?