Valentine’s Day
Aah, Valentine's Day. Some people dread it, others eagerly wait for it, and some don’t even remember what month it’s in. But I think we can all agree that the best part about it is the candy. Suckers, pastries, fun dips, and chocolates - it’s the sweetest time of the year. But unless you’re a sucker (pun intended), none of this happens till February 15, when all the candy goes on sale and you can buy everything by the crate.
I guess that isn’t what it’s all supposed to be about, though. There are many legends surrounding the tale of St. Valentine, and we aren’t even sure which St. Valentine the holiday is attributed to. Some say he married young men to their lady friends against the wishes of the emperor, others think he fell in love with a beautiful young lady and renounced his priesthood to be with her, and still others think he was simply martyred because he refused to deny his faith. It wasn’t until Geoffrey Chaucer linked the church holiday to the mating season of the birds that anyone thought of the holiday as romantic. Since then, stories have been conjured up and torn down, but the holiday still comes every year.
But enough about the history, let’s talk about how tumultuous this holiday can be. People stress and worry over it every year, spending billions of dollars on candy, flowers, and who knows what else. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, I’m just saying that it’s a little overdone. I find it hilarious to think of the forgetful people (you know who you are) who rush into some store on Valentine’s Day along with hundreds of other people, and frantically search for something which they can give their significant other as a “token of their love.”
This all might seem kind of late since we’re already past the holiday, but there’s no reason that every day can’t be like Valentine’s Day. You can show your appreciation for someone with just a simple note or piece of candy. It can be a fantastic day or a disappointing one. But if you play your cards right, it just might be something to look forward to year after year.