February 14th, Valentine’s Day, this is the day many people around the world celebrate times with their significant other with the exchange of gifts and flowers. Valentine’s day is one of the most celebrated holidays. 62 percent of american adults said they celebrate it every year and spend collectively as much as 448 million dollars the week prior to Valentine’s day on candy! Although idyllic, the irony of Valentine’s day is how it started. It was created from Saint Valentine by his beliefs and traditions. Long story short it all started when Emperor Claudius II banned marriage for his military and claimed “single men make better soldiers”. Valentine, as emblematic as he was, thought the emperor;’s decision was cruel, diabolical, and defied him by marrying young couples in secret. Once the emperor found out about Valentine’s actions, he was sentenced to death, and was executed on February 14th, now know as Valentine’s day. It wasn’t until late 1400’s where Pope Gelasius made it methodical, and an official holiday. A lot of people think Valentine’s day is a great holiday, but there is still many people that argue that it is not.
Valentine’s day is a great holiday in my opinion, single or not. It is always good to have that good, gregarious vibe feeling in the air. Like Christmas, it should lift people’s spirits. Valentine’s Day also has a lot of health benefits. The feeling of love, chocolate, and red wine “can play a role in keeping the blood flowing throughout the body”, stated by Dulce Zamora in the article Valentine’s Day: Good for the Heart. Celebrating Valentine’s day “is one of the best ways to pause, remember and be grateful for this one, wild, precious and amazing life we have been given”, as said by Kathy Gottberg in her article Celebrating Valentine’s Day or Just Another Consumer Holiday? It is good to show your significant other that you have vehement feelings for them, and dedicate a day to all the memories you have.
Besides all the love for Valentine’s Day, there are still many people who don’t feel the love so much. People argue that it makes life worse for lonely people, seeing everyone together and getting gifts while they get nothing. It may sound like just a hyperbole, but there is this reason, “As I grew older I came to feel a bit lonely when I didn’t get the gifts and attention that I learned to expect” stated by Dani- Elle Dube in here article Hate Valentine’s Day? You’re not alone in the anti-love movement. This is why Valentine’s Day is recondite for many people, and think that couples should celebrate their love on their anniversary. Fruitless results occur explaining the true meaning behind Valentines Day. However it is a very good argument as to why people hate Valentine’s Day, which is why we should remit those who have different views as we do, because everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Citations:
History of Valentines Day (History.com Version)
Hate Valentine’s Day? You’re not alone in the anti-love movement
Valentines Day Good for the Heart
Celebrating Valentine’s Day or Just Another Consumer Holiday?