Once a year, on Feb. 14, couples around the country display their nauseating affection for one another. Roses are presented (and way overpriced), cards are exchanged and obnoxiously large stuffed animals are given.
I am not a hater of love, because I myself am in love right now. But being in a relationship has not changed how silly I have always thought this day to be. First, a brief history behind this day of love.
Many legends surround this infamous holiday, including one dating back to third century Rome. Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than married men with families, so he decided to outlaw marriage. Valentine felt that denying people the right to get married was unjust, so he began marrying them anyway. When Claudius found out, he ordered Valentine to be put to death.
While in prison, Valentine sent a greeting to a young girl he was in love with. Right before he was put to death, he sent a letter to this girl, signing it “From your Valentine.”
Now, how did a perfectly sweet concept as a letter turn into a day of over extravagant gift-giving? Does society really need one day out of the year to say “I love you?”
There was always so much pressure in grade school to make sure you bought enough valentine’s to hand out to everyone in your class, even if you didn’t like certain people. Then there were the overachievers who made their mom bake cupcakes and decorate them with little pink and red hearts. As we get older, however, it becomes even more stressful. It often makes me laugh when I hear of a guy stressing out because he forgot what day it was, and if they don’t give a good enough gift, they’re in the dog house.
This holiday has become something of a showboat exercise, with each person trying to get something bigger and better than the gift they gave the year before.
If for any other reason, hate national “I love you day” because it’s become a commercial day to buy (and eat) way too many chocolates and watch your beautifully expensive rose bouquet wither away. My ode to you, my friends, is to say “I love you” every day and save your money for dinner at Taco Bell.
