A New Look on Love

By THE EDITORIAL BOARD

At the mention of the date Feb. 14, people react in a variety of ways. Some are filled with tenderness as they are reminded of their significant other or the group of friends they spend the special day with. Others, on the contrary, may feel indifference, or worse, loneliness and dread at the thought of the holiday. One may experience pressure to find and honor romantic love around this time of year, making it especially difficult for those who feel they do not, or will never, have anybody to spend the day with in the picturesque way it is portrayed.

The importance of Valentine’s Day in American culture has been engrained since youth, with a common experience being required to exchange Valentine’s cards with each of one’s classmates. This effort to avoid anyone feeling alone on the day of love seems to foreshadow a similar endeavor in adulthood, and this manifests itself through the pressure many may feel to make the day “perfect.” Movies, TV shows, and many other forms of media display happy couples exchanging chocolates or going out to dinner. On the day itself, social media seems to overflow with endless couple photos. As we are constantly surrounded by Valentine’s clichés, the strain can cause us to overlook the day’s true meaning.

According to the dating app Plenty of Fish, a survey on the pressures of dating suggests that 43% of single people feel pressure to be in a relationship during Valentine’s Day, and the same percentage see Valentine’s Day as the most stressful holiday. The fact that people who are not in a relationship tend to not be fond of the day celebrating relationships shouldn’t come as a surprise. However, this feeling of demand extends to those who are coupled as well.

According to the National Retail Federation, the average consumer celebrating Valentine’s

Day spends an estimated $175.41 on everything from candy to an evening date. This demonstrates the expectation for partners to spend a considerable amount of money on the day for their significant other, and the pressure to spend money can lead to financial strain. Clearly, Valentine’s Day has come a long way from its humble beginnings.

Believed to have originated as a Christian feast day to honor the Roman saint and martyr, Valentine’s Day has become an important cultural celebration with the goal of recognizing a partner through gifts, dinner, and other romantic activities. However, many have also chosen to observe the holiday with whom they have close, platonic relationships. Whether this is due to their understanding of the importance of love outside of a typical intimate relationship or because of their current relationship status, this sentiment has allowed the holiday to evolve from its traditional depiction in popular culture to one that recognizes and celebrates many kinds of love.

Among these perspectives, it’s undeniable that Valentine’s Day provokes thoughts about the relationships we hold close, whether these be romantic, platonic, or familial. As Valentine’s Day continues to evolve through the widening scope of the definition of love, people need to prioritize the more consistent sources of joy in their life: their close friends, their family, and the one person that will be with them forever – themselves. Coming to terms with our own being, along with the friends and family we hold close, will bring a peace that cannot come through romantic pursuits. Although easier said than done, it seems to be much more rewarding in the long run to appreciate our more reliable sources of love amidst the constant, and often overwhelming, fluidity of relationships. With this in mind, be kind to yourself this Valentine’s Day, and cherish yourself and your loved ones as you, not our society, sees fit.