As unpopular as it may seem to many young adults, there are actually people (even K-State students) who are passionate about Valentine’s Day. In retrospect who didn’t like Valentine’s Day growing up? No one was purposely left out in a day full of decorating boxes, obligated valentines and candy. You got to share the day with everyone, not just an existent or nonexistent significant other.
As you get older, Valentine’s Day becomes more of a comparison between what you receive and, more importantly, what you don’t. Many single people feel there’s a secret that couples know that they don’t, but believing Valentine’s day is all about romance is a misconception. Valentine’s Day isn’t about giving boxes of candy or receiving roses; it’s about harnessing and lavishing all your love onto those you cherish.
Almost everyone seems to think that to love Valentine’s Day you need to be in a committed relationship or satisfy some prerequisite before you can bask in Cupid’s spell. That’s just simply not the truth for some K-State students. Riley Gay, sophomore in architecture, whose birthday happens to be on Feb. 14, said her undying passion for the holiday doesn’t start with anything but love.
“There aren’t any rules about who you’re supposed to love,” Gay said. “You’re just supposed to love people. I view the holiday as an opportunity to let friends and others around me know why I love them.”
One of her favorite Valentine’s Day memories was a time when she handed out homemade valentines to teachers at a parent-teacher conference in high school.
Everyone, even those in committed relationship, could find some light to Riley’s theory. Valentine’s Day can be about so much more than chocolates and roses. It can be about spreading love to everyone you cherish. This mood is what some students enjoy. Hunter Wheeler, sophomore in architectural engineering, said that he likes Valentine’s Day because of the mood that the day brings.
“My favorite part would be that everyone is in a good mood on Valentine’s Day,” Wheeler said.
Some, when growing up in a pro-Valentine’s Day household, see this as a day to love all and not just significant others. Natalie Bennett, junior in health and nutrition, has fond memories of festive parties on Valentine’s Day.
“The reason I like Valentine’s Day is because growing up, we made a huge deal about it,” Bennett said. “We used to have a huge party and decorate. Make heart-shaped everything, cookies and cakes. Everything was red and pink and purple and I’ve had a really good association with it, but I never associated it with one single thing.”
That’s what’s wrong with the average college student’s perception of Valentine’s Day: it isn’t just for couples getting roses; it’s for everyone. On what she does differently as a single girl that makes Valentines Day better for her and those she loves, Bennett said, “I just like to have a party.”
If having a party seems difficult with couples everywhere, the Union Programming Council is hosting a fun, free do-it-yourself night at Aggieville’s Straight Upp Creative Studio on Friday, Feb. 13. Sign up on their Facebook event page for a slot to create your own mug for free with your bestie, crush, valentine or even by yourself.
There are many ways to make your Valentine’s Day weekend sweet, but the first obstacle is overcoming cynicism and “Single Awareness Day” which stopped being clever in middle school. Valentine’s Day isn’t just about a significant other, it’s about love in general. Find solace and nostalgia in the beauty and simplicity of elementary school Valentine’s Day parties and appreciate everyone who makes your life overflowing with joy.
