Valentine’s Day is often met with mixed reactions. Some see it as a shallow display of consumerism, while others cherish it as a day dedicated to love.
Despite the criticism, Valentine’s Day holds a unique and important place in our lives.
It is not just about the chocolates, roses, heart-shaped trinkets and plush teddy bears, it is about taking a moment to celebrate the power of connection in a world that often feels rushed and distracted.
While love and kindness should not be confined to a single day, having a designated moment to reflect on and express our feelings is meaningful.
It is easy to lose ourselves in our daily grind, and relationships, whether they are romantic, platonic or familial, can all suffer from neglect.
Valentine’s Day prompts us to pause and say, “I appreciate you”. That sentiment is something we all need to hear and feel.
I remember as a kid going to school and a few days before Valentine’s Day, our art class was dedicated to making valentines for our parents and creating a special envelope to insert the cards that we received from other students.
A class list of students’ names went home, and we wrote a card to each student in the class, so no one was left out.
As I got older and met my husband, he too made Valentine's Day special. My husband lived an hour away, and often I received a card and a phone call on this special day. We did not get together if the day was during the week, as he had to work the next day.
When we had kids, they came home from school on this special day with valentines from their classmates, and cards made for us that always hung on the fridge until the next occasion came along.
These are the memories that I cherish. It was not about the expensive flowers, chocolates, or jewelry, it was about the special cards that I still have to this day.
Critics may argue that Valentine’s Day is overly commercialized, and that is fair, but is it not true that many meaningful traditions have been touched by commercialization?
The significance of the day lies in how we choose to celebrate it. We need to focus on genuine acts of affection and connection, rather than material gifts.
My husband and I have been married for 45 years, but we do not do the elaborate gifts or meals. We simply come home, have a nice home-cooked meal and enjoy an evening in front of the TV.
Oh right, we do this every day and each day we tell each other "I love you". A day never goes by that those three words are not said.
Valentine’s Day can be a difficult day for many as well. Not everyone will have the pleasure of being with their loved ones, or they are single. Either way this day should be special for them as well.
We need to make this day a day of kindness and love and share this with others.
I challenge everyone to pick one person who they feel may need a pick-me-up on this Valentine’s Day. It does not need to be elaborate, but a simple card or one flower. It could be the change the recipient needs to feel special and loved.
Many of us may be missing a person and that little extra might give them hope for the next day.
Although Valentine’s Day is one day a year, let us spread more joy every day in a world that is filled with negativity.
So, whether you are writing a card, sharing a meal, or simply telling someone you care, embrace Valentine’s Day for what it can be, a day to let love shine.
