To me, Valentine’s Day is a way to remind the people you love that you care about them. Whether it be a parent, a sibling, best friend or a significant other, it is a day dedicated to showing appreciation for all that they do for you. The chocolates. The cheesy stuffed animals. The heart candies. The roses. Those are all just big pluses.

I personally think that whether or not you’re in a relationship, Valentine’s Day is fun to celebrate. So what if you’re single for the holiday? Shamelessly binge watch rom-coms and stuff your face full of candies-that’s my thing at least. Treat yourself and share with friends. 

It’s not always about going on fancy dates and spending big bucks. In a society where everything is centered around appearances (thanks, Instagram), sometimes it’s difficult to remember not only your own worth, but also to remind others of their own. It’s very easy to get into a negative mindset and start to compare ourselves to others, so a day like Valentine’s Day is a reminder that we should love ourselves and others for who they are.

A popular byproduct of Valentine’s Day is known as Galentine’s Day. A personal favorite of mine. The whole meaning behind this unofficial holiday is “ladies celebrating ladies”. So even if you are single and feeling a bit down, there’s always other people, like close friends, to celebrate with. Exchanging small gifts or even just taking a day to go out with friends means a lot to me, and I’m sure many others. It’s all about what you make it. 

 This holiday forces us to put down our phones and actually put effort into acknowledging the people we care for. It is so easy to post a picture or send a Snapchat to someone. But digital words are the cheapest thing you could give anyone. Valentine’s Day gives us a chance to show the people around us that we value them. Many people find joy in making cards and other DIY crafts for their significant others. Just knowing that someone took the time out of their day to make an effort puts that warm feeling in your heart. We have a full day to come face to face with our loved ones and truly express our gratitude for them. 

There are many tales about Valentine’s Day, but it all comes back to a man by the name of Valentine literally dying for love. One legend (the best one in my opinion) has it that during the third century of Rome, Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage because he believed that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and children. Despite this order, a determined priest named Valentine went behind the Emperors back and performed marriages for young lovers in secret. This risk taken for true love ultimately lead to Valentine’s death at the hands of Claudius II. Pretty romantic right? I guess, in a dark and twisted way. The things we do for love.