On Not Hating Valentine's Day

The United States can be divided into two types of people: Those who celebrate Valentine’s Day with gusto and those who don’t (The latter group might still celebrate, but not with gusto--usually just out of obligation). This is one of those instances where a person can actually move from one group to the other. The switching happens most often to women and it usually depends on whether they’re single or not. Let’s face it—the majority of single ladies only hate Valentine’s Day because they don’t have a significant other to spend the day with. They’re all about the holiday when they’re with someone.

I, however, am okay with V-Day. I think it’s nice to spend a day focusing on romance and love. Sure, we should do this every day, but how often do we actually do that? I have heard my fair share of people complaining about the commercialization of Valentine’s Day and claiming it’s just a holiday made up by greeting card companies and florists. First of all, why are you angry at them? That’s their job! They’re supposed to sell greeting cards and find ways to get people to buy more cards and flowers. If people buy into the belief that Valentine’s Day is the only day of the year to be romantic, don’t blame The Man. They sell cards and flowers year round that people are allowed to buy.

Here’s my main point: I like Valentine’s Day and hope to someday have someone to celebrate it with. Because here’s the thing, the couples I know who treat every day like Valentine’s Day and don’t save romance for one day a year also celebrate Valentine’s Day. The people who complain about Valentine’s Day and say it’s a cop-out and you shouldn’t have to be told when to be romantic—they aren’t all that romantic the other 364 days of the year. They’re only romantic on anniversaries or birthdays or when they feel guilty about something.

So I say embrace the holiday and take advantage of all the flowers and chocolate that are on sale. And if you think every day should be Valentine’s Day, then treat them as such.