Matters of the Heart: Expressing Love this Valentine's Day

Over the past year, you’ve probably spent more than enough time with your loved ones. During a virus that has raged on for almost two years, you’ve probably learned all there is to know about your significant other. Now that things have returned to a post-pandemic normal, how should we go back to expressing love?

This Valentine’s Day, we want to emphasize the importance of compassion, empathy and honesty when expressing love this season. Although it may be hard for some, love is what keeps the world turning; it is expressing it that can occasionally becomes the hard part. All of our relationships — both platonic and romantic — have changed drastically, so here are a few tips for navigating them this Valentine’s Day using different concepts of the word “love” in Greek.

Eros

Eros is the passionate, sensual love that is expressed between soulmates, and most often celebrated on Valentine’s Day. For those in romantic relationships, this is the perfect time to express love through understanding. Using all that you both have learned during the pandemic, planning and executing the perfect date simply requires some reflection. Whether it be a much-needed date night to an elegant restaurant, or a night-in with movies and popcorn, you both know what makes the other feel loved. Instead of getting swept up in the commotion of the “perfect date,” do what you know your significant other would love.

Agape

Agape refers to an unconditional, all-encompassing love, and is generally recognized as one of the more common forms of love. Many explain agape as the love between God and man, but it also describes the love we have as a human race. We all have an inherent connection to each other, and it shows itself in the way we carry out our day to day interactions. If you’re feeling like expressing love, you can give from the goodness of your heart. Charities, thrift stores and other entities earn a lot of their donations on Valentine’s Day as people express their love for giving. Doing something good for the community is a prime example of this kind of love, and it can go a long way in the lives of others.

Philia

Philia directly translates to “highest form of love,” and is best described as the love shared between lifelong friends. People are always coming and going, but there are some that you meet and never let go. A friend you meet in college could end up becoming your oldest friend. That one coworker you teamed up with for a project could become one of your closest allies. These strong connections are worthy of celebrating on Valentine’s Day, and it can be done a number of ways. Send your friend a gift to recognize the importance of you all’s relationship. Take a loved one out for dinner — that is, if you all are not spending it with a significant other. Meaningful friendships are what keep us motivated to do better, and Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on their value.