Rethinking the true meaning of Valentines Day

Valentine’s Day is well recognized for being a day when couples show their love and appreciation for one another by exchanging admiration and gifts. However, romantic love should not be the only aspect recognized; love in general, regardless of the relationship, should be honored on that day.

Traditionally, the day’s origin isn’t even about romantic connections but rather about celebrating the death of one or two early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine on Christian feast day. As the years have progressed and Valentine’s Day was established as an official holiday, it has been oriented around couples and the surprises they give each other such as a dinner date at a fancy restaurant, a hotel room showered in rose petals, concert tickets, clothes, etc. The “man” in the relationship was expected only to spoil the “woman” to make her feel special. But now, the expectation is that they both surprise each other.

Although as a society we have detached from the gender stereotypes associated with Valentine’s Day, the stigma that only couples can be each other’s Valentines remains. When you walk into a store and see cutesy cards intended for a wife or husband, it is only reasonable to think that “the day of love” is geared toward romantic love. But if that narrative was dropped, then more would celebrate with friends and family and feel satisfied. The abundance of love you would receive from the people in your life would make you feel just as wonderful; you wouldn’t give it any thought that it isn’t a partner.

“I think it is a day where people who have either strong emotions or love for a person can show it in a very positive and comfortable way,” Pariaun Henderson, junior, said. “I feel like nowadays it is hard for people to be comfortable with PDA. With Valentine’s Day, it gives everyone a chance to publicly show their affection for people they care about.”

Galentine’s Day, which originated on the sitcom Parks and Recreation, is the perfect example of breaking away from the conventional V-Day. The purpose is for ladies to take the day off from their day to day duties and celebrate one