OUR VIEW: Valentine’s Day is what you make of it
Happy Valentine’s Day – or Singles-Awareness Day, as referred to by some. There are many ways to look at Valentine’s Day: Some see it as a celebration of love and some find only painful reminders of romance gone wrong. This variety of opinion has prompted us to reflect on what the true meaning of Valentine’s Day really is. Is it just about love, or just any other day? Are there parts to the story that are overlooked?
Legends say that in Ancient Rome, Emperor Claudius II banned marriage based on the decision that single men made better soldiers than those with distractions such as wives and children. St. Valentine would secretly perform marriages because he believed in the power of love as he himself was in love. The legends vary in detail, as one mentions that St. Valentine was helping inmates escape the harsh conditions of the prison and fell in love with his jailer’s daughter. It was said he sent her a letter before he was put to death, signing, “Your Valentine.”
Even though the legends vary, each had something in common. They showed that St. Valentine was known for his heroism, sympathy and romanticism. We believe these factors have been overlooked by many including ourselves, so sit back and relax if you don’t have a date or if your partner is oblivious, because there is a way to make Valentine’s Day mean more than just the intimate love we associate with the holiday.
Love has two sides to it. There is intimate love and there is compassionate love. Compassionate love means being kind and caring for others. It is the kind of cheer felt all through the Christmas season.
That said, we encourage all to make the most out of Valentine’s Day. Go out and honor St. Valentine and the legacy he left behind. Be compassionate toward others, serve and be courteous to each other. Sure we may not receive the same deed back, but we get more out of giving than receiving.
So have no fear: You can still celebrate Valentine’s Day. Take that pint of Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food and put it back in the freezer. There are plenty of things that can be done for Feb. 14 other than the depressive antics a few of us may be planning.
Get out and do something. If you have no clue what to do, attend the men’s basketball game against Denver. Show your pride as an Aggie and cheer on your team to victory. Be their heroes. Whether we choose to be someone’s hero or not, whether we enjoy Valentine’s Day depends on what we do for ourselves and for others.