For by Allison Mantooth
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
1 Corinthians 13:4-6.
Love is something all of us want to possess and have in our lives. We want something true, unwavering, something real.
Valentine’s Day, for the longest time, was the most unnecessary holiday for me. It was that one day that was special enough to get candy but not special enough to cancel school. To me, it seemed pointless. Which begs the question, is Valentine’s Day a good and useful holiday?
As I have gotten older I have found a new appreciation for the holiday, mainly because of my family and my mom. A couple of years back, my mom decided to change how my family and I celebrate Valentine’s Day, starting with the name. In the year 2018, my mom changed Valentine’s Day to “I Love You Day.” This simple act made me look at the holiday in a whole new light. No longer was it a silly day that had no meaning to me, but a sweet day to cherish those around us. The reason my mom made that change for my family is that she didn’t like the attitude that her kids had towards it. Greed and selfishness were rampant in my house, and on several occasions that temperament turned into massive arguments and hateful words or actions. That reason alone was why I had such a distaste for the holiday.
Although it still wasn’t the most important holiday, it soon became one of my favorites because my focus shifted off of myself and towards others. It became a day that showcases other people and how much they mean to me in my life. I really appreciate Valentine’s Day (or “I Love You Day”) because it reminds me that we are all to love and be more like Jesus every single day of our lives.
I think Valentine’s Day is a beautiful time to encourage and spread joy to other people. A lot of people call it “Singles Awareness Day,” but if we were to look into the true reason for celebrating “I Love You Day,” we would find that it has absolutely nothing to do with romantic relationships. Instead, it’s all about the friendships we have all around us. It is a time for encouragement, not discouragement.
Against by Kat Carson
Being anti-Valentine’s Day is not a result of being single. It’s not bitterness towards couples or even the institute of love. Just as you should celebrate your parents on not just Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, I don’t believe that love should be celebrated just one day a year. When you love someone, you should show them that every single day, not just once a year with red roses and a box of chocolate that you feel you feel entitled to give.
I once saw a tweet that said, “I don’t want flowers on Valentine’s Day because it’s what you’re supposed to do. I want flowers on a Tuesday because you thought of me on your way home.”
According to the National Retail Federation, Americans spent an average of $196 in 2019 on Valentine’s Day. Total spendings for the nation as a whole will reach $27.4 billion for partners, friends, family and pets. As a nation, we spend more money on one day for things that will die or be consumed while ignoring our student debt, car payments, mortgages and so many more responsibilities.
I am not saying it’s wrong to buy gifts for people you love. In fact, I think it’s good to surprise people when you can. However, we should not be showing kindness and niceties for those we love because we are supposed to on one day of the year.
Love should be expressed frequently and openly. As cheesy as it sounds, you truly never know when the last time you’ll be able to share your feelings for someone will be. We live in a fallen world. People die, relationships fall apart and so many other things happen. Many people argue that you should be careful not to overuse the phrase “I love you.” However, if you are true in the meaning of the words, I believe that you should share them as often as you recognize that love for individuals.
Furthermore, Valentine’s Day is a selfish holiday. People spend money on partners, expecting something in return. Children wake up wondering what their parents got them, how many valentines they will receive at school and if their crush will give them something special. People rarely see Valentine’s Day as their opportunity to celebrate others but instead how they will be celebrated.
For some reason, single individuals and those in relationships seem at war during the holiday. Those in relationships throw pity towards those without a “second half” and those who are without a partner hold a bitterness for those in the parallel position. No one is safe when fingers begin to be pointed on Valentine’s Day.
Although I believe the idea of Valentine’s Day, in theory, is good, it rarely is followed through with proper execution. Instead of celebrating love one day a year, we must ask ourselves how we are actively showing our love to those in our lives year-round.
