The annual February 14 holiday of Valentine’s Day is known as the celebration of love, affection and romance, but it is not just couples who celebrate it.
According to Roses Only, Valentine’s Day is commonly “observed as a day for expressing love between family members and friends, rather than just a holiday for romantic couples.”
Additionally, sophomore Lea Stoyanov says not being in a relationship opens more opportunities to appreciate the people in her life.
“Being single doesn’t make me sad or anything because it allows me to celebrate all the love I get from my friends and family,” Stoyanov said.
On the topic of why the holiday is important, Stoyanov truly admires how it focuses on love rather than many other holidays.
“I like that [Valentine’s Day] is advertised as a holiday of love because it focuses more on relationships with people around you,” Stoyanov said. “I think it’s important to recognize the people you love in your life.”
According to sophomore Audrey Schwab, her view on the holiday has changed now that she’s in a relationship.
“My perspective on Valentine’s Day has definitely changed now that I’m in a relationship,” Schwab said. “It has more meaning to me now because of the person I get to celebrate with.”
On the topic of what the holiday means, Schwab believes it means something important for her as a person and someone in a romantic relationship.
“Valentine’s Day means celebrating an important milestone with your partner, and overall it’s a special day,” Schwab said.
According to wife Jacqueline Davis, you shouldn’t put too much stress on the holiday.
“Your partner is the main reason you celebrate the holiday,” Davis said.
When discussing the difference between the meaning of the holiday when she was single versus now, Davis believes she craved the love that other people had.
“Before I met my partner, I would always envy people who had someone to celebrate Valentine’s with by going out to dinner,” Davis said. “I think now that I am married and have been in a relationship for 28 years, I realize that you don’t really need to celebrate Valentine’s Day because you have somebody in your life.”
According to Davis’s husband, Joe, the holiday means nothing if you don’t celebrate love every other day.
“I believe Valentine’s Day is a fun excuse to go out or buy something cute because of the holiday’s theme, but I think people misunderstand its true meaning,” Davis said. “I love her 365 days a year, not just on Valentine’s Day, and I think it’s important to show that.”
On the topic of how he shows his love, Davis said he likes doing many small things to help.
“At the end of the day, it’s the little things that matter most when it comes to showing appreciation for your partner,” Davis said. “You can wash the dishes for your spouse, you can take the trash out without being asked, you can clean up after yourself, and you can hold the door or open the door as well. It all adds up to love.”