Roses are red, violets are blue; some believe in love, how about you?

By Izzy Stein, Staff Writer

Feb. 14 was a great day to be in a relationship as Valentine’s Day celebrations flourished around campus. Many dawned hues of red and pink in support of the holiday and local hotspot Stop & Shop welcomed students with open arms as flowers and chocolates flew off shelves. 

It is no secret that love binds us all intrinsically, but the day poses a greater moral dilemma: Is Valentine’s Day a justifiable holiday, or is it just another opportunity for corporations to take advantage of our deep-rooted human desire for affection?

Senior psychology major Kira Adkins celebrated Valentine’s Day commuting to Connecticut to reunite with her boyfriend. Though she deeply cherished her flowers, Sweet Tarts and Lindt chocolates, she couldn’t seem to overlook the capitalistic spectacle of the holiday.

“Honestly, I think it’s just an excuse for companies to make a profit because there shouldn’t just be one day to show your love and appreciation for someone,” she said.

Historically, there are numerous theories on the origins of Valentine’s Day. One such account suggests that it started as a Christian feast day to commemorate Saint Valentine, a priest sentenced to death in the third century after officiating secret weddings for soldiers. Allegedly, soldiers identified Saint Valentine via a cupid ring and decorative paper hearts that he distributed as a symbol of God’s love. Since then, celebrations seem to be less about declarations of love and more focused on how many different ways a heart can be incorporated into a fast food menu.

In recent years there has been a shift towards discourse like “Galentine’s Day,” opting for a celebration of female friendship over the isolation and despair that awaits those who identify as single. The term “Galentine’s Day,” coined by the sitcom “Parks and Recreation,” was originally observed on Feb. 13 as a time when characters left their significant others at home to spend the day hanging out with friends. Although some perceive this term as a form of revolution, mocking couples in healthy relationships, its focus on inclusivity has driven its popularity amongst younger generations.

For some students like senior education major Jill Meaney, it was just another Wednesday night. Though she got coffee with friends and saw many surprising new couples on her social media feed, she dedicated the majority of the day to herself.

“I spent my Valentine’s day alone in my room…in bed, with a drink and a good movie,” she said.

Are we vilifying individuals just because they aren’t in a relationship on a specific day of the year? Perhaps it is time for a revitalization of the day; one focused on spending quality time with the people we hold dear, based on our multifaceted definitions of love.

For Adkins, love for a significant other and love for those you admire aren’t mutually exclusive.

“It’s about having a deep connection with someone, where you would do anything for them. It doesn’t have to be romantic, it can be platonic. For example, I love my friends, I love my family and I love my sister,” she shared. 

On the other hand, Meaney’s perception of love is one of ambivalence. 

“I used to believe in love. I think that I’ve had a few bad experiences in the past, just right now it’s really not on my mind. I think I have a little bit of a fear of heartbreak. However, I will always hold a different type of love for my friends and family. If it wasn’t for them, Valentine’s Day would’ve been very isolating,” she said.

Whether you spent the day alone, booed up or with friends, solace can always be found in the value that each of us brings to the world, and that is irrespective of relationship status.