What is Valentine’s Day Really Even About?

Valentine’s Day is coming up and I could really use some tips on this whole romance-deal-type-thing. I mean, how seriously should I take a day that’s really only a holiday where companies sell us a romantic fantasy. All these advertisements about chocolate bunnies (oh wait--that’s Easter) and crimson roses and one-true-loves and finding your bae the next best gift at Kay jewelers. Sparkling diamonds and holding hands as the sun sets. Burning through that recent paycheck on a fancy dinner with a “promising” Tinder date. If I’m being completely honest, the whole thing seems like a ruse. Or am I too cynical?

If we strip away all the commercialization, all the flashing ads, what are we left with? What is at the heart of Valentine’s Day? A chocolate Kiss?

I honestly don’t know. 

Perhaps Galentine’s Day is where the real fun’s at. Maybe we should all forget about this red- and pink-filled holiday and just spend some quality time with our closest friends. Sip a glass of red wine, lay back on the couch and watch a good movie. Discuss our dreams and the ways we’ll change the world. Or hit up that new restaurant on Franklin. 

However, I can’t help but wonder if my whole problem with Valentine’s Day is because I’m single and salty about it. Or has the existence of this commercialized holiday made me salty and single? I would really love to ask some of the people who make these ads, what’s so wrong with being single and being glad?

Maybe couples have something to say to the contrary. When it comes to talking about love and romance, I’m probably the last person you should be searching for. 

Okay, here’s my last point. Who actually benefits from Valentines Day? Let’s say, Valentine’s Day no longer existed. What would we be missing? Those who are in love would still be in love and to be honest, most of the coupled-up people I know don’t really do much for Valentine’s anyway. For those who say Valentine’s Day is the day for us to appreciate love in the world, why is this the day when so many people feel alone?

Well actually, without Valentines, maybe we wouldn’t get all those post-Valentines candy sales, when stores rid themselves of all the heart-shaped chocolates they’ve been drowning in since December. 

So maybe Valentine’s Day is important after all.