Stop adding to the silliness of V-Day

Saint Valentine. Everyone has heard the stories and legends about this guy performing romantic, forbidden marriage ceremonies under the persecution of the Roman Empire. How accurate these legends are is debatable. It has been claimed that Valentine’s Day was originally suggested to replace Lupercalia, the pagan spring festival celebrated in mid-February.

The truth is: Valentine’s Day is a silly excuse for couples to be sappy and singles to be sad.

If there are two people in love, there is nothing to kill the mood like cheesy pink hearts and a whole day of pressure to go out on the perfect date. Lovers don’t need special occasions to be in love, or at least they shouldn’t. When a couple goes out for a fancy dinner or buy each other fattening candies, why does it have to be on the same day as all the other couples? This seems incredibly unoriginal, unromantic and definitely not spontaneous.

I have never read a fairy tale that ended with “They lived happily ever after, in a boring and predictable way.” Though, to be fair, they probably did.

I do not appreciate these boring and predictable “romantic gestures.” Sure, I am a girl who enjoys chocolate, flowers, teddy bears and all the other cute gestures that can be dreamt up, but on the one day a year where it is expected, these just feel like going through the motions.

The singles get an even shorter end of the stick. To be single on Valentine’s Day is supposed to mean some sort of failure, or is spun the other way into a feminist “you go girl” sort of silliness. Being single is never a failure, or a triumph. It means you happen to not be dating at the moment.

Putting too much pressure on people to have lasting relationships, or relationships at all, causes dysfunctional couples to stay together. Divorce, tears, etc. It also causes the smart ones who stay away from dysfunctional relationships to feel badly about their good decision. Valentine’s Day only adds to this pressure.

For those who celebrate “Singles Awareness Day,” go out with friends or feel that being single means having to celebrate alternatively are just as guilty in participating in this pointless holiday.

The chocolate, flower and card companies love this holiday. What could be better for sales than making your better half feel that you should buy them things? This is the only reason that such a holiday continues to exist.

Valentine’s Day should be ignored. If you have a sweetheart to buy chocolates and a teddy bear for, then wait for it all to go on sale. Celebrate your love in a fun, unique way this year. Maybe just wait until March, but stop adding to the silliness.