The Day of Love

      Valentine’s Day dates back to ancient Rome, where a priest named Saint Valentine secretly performed marriages despite Emperor Claudius II banning them. The emperor believed that single men made better soldiers, so he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, seeing the injustice of this decree, continued to marry couples in secret. When he was eventually caught, he was imprisoned and later executed on February 14.

       Before his death, it is said that Valentine developed a close bond with the jailer’s daughter, whom he healed from blindness. According to legend, he left her a note signed “From your Valentine,” a phrase still used today. In 496 AD, Pope Gelasius I declared February 14 as St. Valentine’s feast day, replacing the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, a fertility celebration held on February 15. Over time, the day became associated with romance, and by the Middle Ages, it was widely recognized as a day of love. Today, it has transformed into a global celebration filled with gifts, grand gestures, and extravagant displays of affection.

      Now, don’t get me wrong, Valentine’s Day can be cute and fun. But here’s the thing, I think Valentine’s Day is just a normal day that’s being overly specialized. I’m not saying this because I’m single, but you can express your love to the person you love anytime. Why the need to be extra on that day? Does your love for someone have a specific day or time?

    If you love someone, why wait for February 14 to show it? Small, meaningful gestures throughout the year mean more than one grand display on a single day. Plus, Valentine’s Day can be stressful—some people feel pressured to go all out while others feel left out if they don’t have a Valentine. And let’s not forget the overpriced flowers and fully booked restaurants.

       At the end of the day, Valentine’s Day is what you make of it. If you love celebrating it, go for it. If not, that’s fine too. What truly matters is showing love and appreciation every day, not just when the calendar tells you to. For me, Valentine’s may be extra, but for some people, it can be the reason to build a stronger relationship. Nevertheless, it’s up to people what they want to do on Valentine’s Day. It’s just my opinion.

Sources

History.com Editors. (2023). History of Valentine’s Day. History. https://www.history.com/topics/va

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NPR. (2021). The Dark Origins of Valentine's Day. National Public Radio. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2011/02/14/133693152/the-dark-origins-of-valentines-day

kittyboty. (n.d.). Illustration of a cat [Image]. Retrieved from https://images.app.goo.gl/e8NAsTcrTopX3KAK8

Brides. (2022, December 24). Your First Valentine’s Day as an Engaged Couple. https://images.app.goo.gl/ji6YnYiKvtTM5rce7

Anonymous. (2025, February 15). Happy valentine’s day everyone!! 🫶 [Pinterest post]. Retrieved February 15, 2025, from https://pin.it/2u7dX1Zxs