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Society defines meaning of love

Written by Amanda Usher

 

Valentine’s Day is typically associated with red carnations, multi-colored candies, sappy cards, stuffed animals and caramel chocolates. But all of this is only for one day.

Valentine’s Day is essentially about love, right? So, what happens to love the other 364 days a year? Does it leave and wait till the next Feb. 14? It’s not supposed to.

Genuine and true love proves itself every day, not just on Valentine’s Day when society says it is. Two people who are deeply in love don’t need one holiday to celebrate something that should be year round.

The buzz circling around Valentine’s Day stems from the excitement of gifts and expensive date nights. Here’s the thing that many people don’t understand: gifts can be given every day and date nights can be had every night.

A recent article in the Orlando Sentinel estimates that 60 percent of Americans will not celebrate Valentine’s Day this year because they feel it has become overrated. Being single and a lack of money are also important factors for those who choose to abstain from Valentine’s Day.

An important thing to remember is that Valentine’s Day is highly commercialized. Stores have begun capitalizing based on the idea that people expect lavish gifts.  That’s why Wal-Mart is foolishly selling $55 gift baskets and $17 teddy bears on their website.

If someone really wants to give the person that they admire a gift, they should extend a “just because” present to that person, just because it’s Monday or just because he or she is great, not because it’s Valentine’s Day and society says that it’s time to give one.

There’s one gift that’s free and can be given every day: love.

It can be shown when people open their eyes every morning and see the one that they can’t live without. It can be displayed through that sweet “I miss you” text message that a man sends his girlfriend.

The problem with commercializing Valentine’s Day is that it heightens feelings of loneliness and depression. Those who have no one to spend it with may wonder why this holiday exists to begin with.

What would this nation do every year on Feb. 14 if there was no Valentine’s Day? Would they still go to the stores and buy candy and chocolates that they can buy any other day?

They should, not because the Valentine’s Day “book of etiquette” says so, but because love’s “book of Etiquette” does.

Society has helped to contribute to people feeling morally obligated to do something drastic and special for someone else. It shouldn’t be that way.

While it’s nice to feel special and get a gift, there should be no obligation. Every day is the day for love.

 

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