Maddison Kettlewell | Torch Reporter
Millennials, it’s not quite time to give up on Valentine’s Day. Maybe it was the movies, or too many romance novels, but I refuse to believe Valentine’s Day is dead. Valentine’s Day may be a Hallmark centered holiday, but that is no reason to go without celebrating love.
There is nothing wrong with Valentine’s Day, but everything wrong with how we look at it. The word love was originally used to describe feelings towards neighbors and one’s own children. The romantic love that we see advertised across America on Valentine’s Day is a fairly new concept; 100 years ago, people were still marrying for economic gain.
The truth is there is more to love than just romance. At the same time, there is more to Valentine’s Day than just Hallmark cards and empty bank accounts. Stores might load the shelves with heart-shaped candy a month prior, but that does not mean you can’t go have fun with your friends. The holiday is about spending time with those you love, and to recognize and appreciate your relationship with one another.
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples. It can be a celebration of love in any kind of relationship. In today’s day and age, it’s easy to forget to appreciate the people that are there for you every day.
It’s possible to enjoy the holiday on your own terms. If you don’t have a significant other, why not write a note to your best friend telling them you appreciate them? Why not call a family member to catch up and say that you love them? Valentine’s Day will be exactly what you make it.
If you want to spend the day wallowing in self-pity because you don’t have a significant other, that’s on you. The rest of us will be celebrating love — the kind of love you see every day between friends and family. Real, pure love. In the words of Maya Angelou, “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
Samantha Cavotta | Torch Photographer
I am all for romantic gestures, cute love and adorable couples, but a day dedicated to forcing couples into doing such is just WAY too much pressure! Not to mention, is it really all that romantic when it is forced upon us?
Forced romance doesn’t seem like romance to me. I always thought love was supposed to be spontaneous; a specific day for people to express love doesn’t seem spontaneous at all. It is all about the gifts you buy, the expensive restaurants you take them to or the grand EXPENSIVE gestures you perform.
I am too poor to buy someone’s love!
I think that Valentine’s Day is publicized and portrayed as important by the candy companies, restaurant owners and greeting card industries so they can start off the new year with a high profit margin.
Valentine’s Day is scarier than the holiday themed on scary: Halloween! What if he or she won’t be my Valentine? What if I don’t get a reservation? What if they don’t like my gift?! It is nerve wracking! Unless you sell candy, flowers or greeting cards, you should be scared this Valentine’s Day!
You may need to dish out a bunch of money to express that you like someone on this day or you are forever deemed a terrible romantic.
Most of the time, we are not supposed to be all affectionate and lovey in public — it is weird to see and kind of gross. When people are overly affectionate in public, it makes single persons feel bad about themselves. That is just cruel! I am not saying don’t hold hands — I am saying please stop groping each other in the hallway, I have a class to be in. Not to mention think of all the children you are traumatizing.
On a more positive note for Valentine’s Day, the best parts, in my opinion, the greatest reason to celebrate the holiday is: the next day! All that heart-shaped candy will be priced at 50 percent in the stores!
That being said, to my Valentine Slade, you will not be getting anything this Valentine’s Day.