Why I Love Valentine's Day

I have to admit, I always loved Valentine's Day, but for me it has never been a day solely about romantic love. When I was little my Dad used to get me a small bouquet of flowers in addition to the larger one he'd get my mom. My grandparents and I would always exchange cards, and while you were still in elementary school, you'd get valentines from your friends. For me it's a day to celebrate everyone you love, not just the love of your life (although I celebrate him most)

Now, before anyone reading this imagines I'm saying this from a place full of wonderful romantic valentine's days, believe me when I say I'm not. I didn't have date on Valentine's Day until after I graduated college. (Disclaimer: this story is not about Fiancé, but an ex-boyfriend) I was so excited about finally getting to celebrate with someone I was dating. When we finally got together, we did not go out to dinner, just sat around and watched TV. We exchanged gifts, but while i had got him a pair of leather gloves (which he had told me he wanted) he got me a giant Hershey’s Kiss, from the drugstore... because I told him I liked chocolate. Thoughtful, huh.

But this experience, while discouraging, did not diminish my love for this holiday. There is so much going on in the world that's terrible and sad, that taking a day to celebrate the love you have for those around you is important. Yeah, it's a cheesy day, and yeah it's incredibly commercialized, but the sentiment is necessary.