In Defense of Valentine’s Day

Denitsa Raichkova/Contributing Writer

As a hopeless romantic, I cannot help but admire Valentine’s Day and its significance. 

The modern holiday originates from the Roman festival of Lupercalia and celebrates love around the world. Legend has it that St. Valentine, a Roman priest during the third century, paid with his life for preaching love. After Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men, arguing that single men made better soldiers, St. Valentine continued to marry couples in secret. He was later executed for his actions. True story or just a tale, the meaning of Valentine’s Day goes beyond chocolates, stuffed animals, and the color red. 

This is not your average cheesy romantic article.

 I am in no way defending the commercialization and materialistic nature of Valentine’s Day. That would be a battle I would lose. Valentine’s Day is the beautiful face of the most important human emotion – love. I am writing in defense of romantic love, marriage, and the consequences of lasting human relations. 

Love should be celebrated. In all of its glory. Humans are social beings, and our societies are built around the need for social interaction, and the formation of community ties. Love is the glue that keeps it all together. Love for our family, partners, friends, neighbors (yes, even our pets). Mankind has made world-shattering achievements in the name of love – waged wars, explored continents, and fought for human rights. Therefore, it is worthy to dedicate one day to the celebration of love worldwide. Not just eating chocolates and drinking wine, but being mindful of the global contributions of love; such as, creating a better world for our children, keeping our loved ones safe during a global pandemic, protecting our planet, or becoming a first responder to assist the community. The world has improved, thanks to the sacrifices we have made, in the name of love. 

Let us talk about romance. Romantic love is often expressed through relationships. Having a partner is valued because we benefit from sharing a bond with another person, who loves us unconditionally. On Valentine’s Day, we celebrate the power of love and the happiness it brings couples. If you are single, you can still appreciate love in other forms – self-love, friendships, fa xd mily, or even platonic love.

On Valentine’s Day, we celebrate the institution of marriage. Through his actions, St. Valentine secured the formation of families. A good marriage is not something you find; it is built and nurtured throughout the years. The family is the basic unit of society, and marriage marks the beginning of a family. Besides legal benefits, marriage is a source of stability and happiness for many couples. Values and morals, crucial for our communities, are instilled in us by our families. Therefore, on Valentine’s Day, we should take the time to appreciate our parents’ devotion to their relationship, our own romantic affairs, and the values that guard our interactions. 

The positive outcomes of love can be found all around us. If you find it hard to notice the consequences of loving human relations, look no further than your family. The family unit is the first agent of socialization for children. The love, created by the family, nurtures children and provides them with a safe space to grow. It is statistically proven that children, who have grown up in stable families with loving parents, find it easier to navigate life, and are less likely to engage in deviant behavior. According to the U.S. Census, in 2009, the poverty rate for single parents was 37.1%. The rate for married couples with children was 6.8%. Marriage prevents child poverty and protects children from being pushed into criminal activity and mental health problems. On Valentine’s Day, we cherish the wonderful consequences of love, such as loving families and stable societies. 

When our biological family is not in the picture, we can always turn to our chosen family. Friends increase our sense of belonging and help us cope with trauma. On Valentine’s Day, we honor our platonic friendships and their significance in our lives. Unlike our family, we can choose our friends. On this special day, take a moment to admire your friends and brighten up their day!

Love ought to be celebrated every single day, not just once a year. Valentine’s Day is a reminder of the power of love and all its creations. The day inspires us to continue cherishing love and our families throughout the year. It is a moment of revelation of the important things in life. The holiday’s significance does not end at 11:59 pm… it continues all year round, for as long as we carry it in our hearts.

In conclusion, our society has developed because of the virtue love carries. Valentine’s Day celebrates love around the world and the wonderful achievements of humanity in its name. The materialistic aspect can be entertaining, but the core meaning of the holiday goes beyond pink hearts, teddy bears, and romantic dates. These activities are little extras, added to the celebration of the bigger picture – love as the driving force behind human fulfillment. 

DISCLAIMER:

The opinions presented within this page do not represent the views of PantherNOW Editorial Board. These views are separate from editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing writers and/or members of the University community.