Have diamonds always been forever?

Unless you’ve been living in a hole, you’re probably well aware of that Valentine’s Day is this week. It’s the one inescapable day out of the year that pressures you to celebrate your love for another poor sap, because the other 364 days just don’t seem appropriate to do so. If you’re like the majority of the singles population, it’s a day to stand proud as an independent soul that doesn’t need a Valentine (while you drown your sorrows in chocolate and fruity drinks).
 

Love or Money

The “principal” of the holiday floods reservation lines at every restaurant and taints the windows of every flower store. The superficial side of the holiday, through cheesy commercials and themed TV programming, is thrown in your face. 

In my opinion, Valentine’s Day is rather twisted. The whole supposed point of it is to celebrate the idea of love, yet it’s also a day full of unreasonable expectations. Whether it be one-upping a past gift or trying to impress a date, you’re bound to pay a whole lot of money because Cupid shot you in the ass with a dart. 

“What’s the meaning of Christmas” err Valentine’s Day? What exactly is the point of this seemingly romantic day?
 

Valentine’s Day

Honestly, it’s hard to say. Valentine’s Day has an interesting origin. There are many different legends regarding St. Valentine himself. One legend says that he married soldiers to their lovers illegally because he felt it was morally wrong to forbid them this right (romance). Another legend says that while he was imprisoned, he wrote love letters to a young girl of a supposed jailor (Valentine sentiment cards).
 
This segment of its history actually makes sense. It kind of explains the token symbols and principals of Valentine’s Day. St. Valentine felt that the power of love was stronger and more important than military tradition, and that’s kind of romantic, right? But who knew that the Valentine’s Day cards we made for each other in grade school came from an idea started in jail?
 

Procreation

Another crazy twist in the history of this day was that it didn’t always revolve around love. Since it lies in the middle of the month, it was a day to celebrate fertility. The “celebration” consisted of an animal sacrifice, priests slapping women with goat hide, and men choosing their companion by drawing a woman’s name out of an urn.
 
So is Valentine’s Day all about sex, not making love, but making babies? Now that’s way different. Think about that the next time you pick out some lingerie for that “special someone” ladies.
 

We Forgot Where We Came From

It’s interesting to look at these moments in history and try to find them in today’s holiday celebrations. It’s become incredibly material, centered upon gifts and “romantic” dinners. Even though St. Valentine committed a crime and February 14th was to celebrate fertility, there was sentimental value. Nowadays, having a Valentine brings up unwanted stress and not having a Valentine brings upon bitterness and complete resentment towards anyone with a date.
 
Lets take a step back, and look at the big picture. The day used to be about celebrating the ability to become pregnant, and the woman were chosen like raffle tickets. St. Valentine did illegal things to keep lovers together, and ended up being killed for it (spoiler alert).
 

Back To Basics

Essentially what I’m getting at is that we need to recognize the original purpose of this holiday was to celebrate the idea of love. Like any other day, it doesn’t require unreasonable amounts of money to show how much you care for another. Remember that this is a commercial ploy; you’re silly if you think that you need a diamond necklace to declare your love. Remember the Valentine’s Day cards we wrote in third grade? I still get giddy if I get a cute little card from a kid in my dance class.
 

Keep It Light

Don’t take this holiday too seriously. It’s not the only day you’re allowed to be a cheesy freak, and Cupid isn’t following you around to make sure you make this day motion-picture worthy.
 
If you’re Valentine-less, don’t overly bash the holiday. If anything, think about the ladies of the fertility festivals. At least you wouldn’t be one of the names in the urn.
 
If you’re one of the suckers that has been labeled a “Valentine,” don’t feel the need to give into stereotypical shenanigans. Remember that this day is first and foremost about doing something to express your “love” (or lust) for someone. If you feel like a card will express whatever you want to express, than you beast out one heartfelt card. If you feel like jewelry embodies your love, then deliver that sparkling sentiment. Don’t do something because you feel like you “have to.”
 
Channel St. Valentine. He went to jail for marrying lovers. That’s thoughtful. Don’t slap your date with goat hide.
That’s gross.

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