THE COUPLE’S GUIDE TO VALENTINE’S DAY Words by Mallory Pace
Valentine’s Day — you love it or you hate it. If you happen to love this holiday, you’re most likely in a committed relationship and looking forward to showering your significant other with kisses and chocolate. Or perhaps you are single but still love to celebrate love for what it is. Love is a strange thing: It’s found in strange places, you feel it differently with each person in your life, and it can make you do crazy things. It’s a scary, freeing and beautiful feeling and if there’s one thing that each person on the planet has in common — everyone wants to be loved. Valentine’s Day is the holiday dedicated to celebrating that indescribable feeling. But don’t let capitalism get in the way of what it’s really about. Certainly it has become synonymous with flowers, chocolates and heart-shaped everything, but that isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. It might seem excessive or somewhat pointless to some, (you’re projecting, babe), but I find it to be a wholesome holiday where we get to show those we love a little extra kindness and attention. You don’t have to make a reservation at some too-fancy, overpriced restaurant or book a romantic, unforgettable getaway — there are so many (in my opinion, better) ways to show someone you love them without extravagant gestures. Most of the time, people just want to know they are heard and appreciated in ways that are unique to them. Side-tracked rant: I whole-heartedly believe you should ask your significant other to be your Valentine. If you know your partner cares about it more than you do, ask them. Even if you know they don’t care about it, a simple ask and small gesture will be a pleasant surprise. Don’t just assume that because you’re dating or married, it’s an unspoken rule, because it’s not. Again, everyone wants to be loved and heard, so give it a try.
64 Folio Weekly
