By Meghan Morris
Valentine’s Day, the doomsday of February is the day thousands dread due to the abundance of flowers, candles, chocolates and love. The day we are supposed to show our love with superficial gifts because February 14 is the only day we should show affection. We must shower others with gifts to show how much they mean to us. Is this holiday just another meaningless holiday full of red and pink? Or another holiday that society redirected into a way to make money off of people’s willingness to believe if you aren’t given rose petals scattered around a room and a 6-foot bear you aren’t loved?
According to History.com, Valentine’s Day originated from its patron saint and contained vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman traditions. The Catholic Church recognizes three different saints named Valentine, or Valentinus, who were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When his actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. His acceptance and heroism for the sake of love are now why we have Valentine’s Day.
Whether this story is true or not it is an excellent example of love conquering all which is really all humans want in a love story. But regardless we should always show love, kindness and affection every day of the year not only one day in February. Also, irrespective of if you are in a relationship or not flowers, jewelry and teddy bears don’t equate to affection. Thoughtfulness and kindness are what really what matters to others and should be for you as well.
