(CU Independent graphic/Adam Milner)
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If you walk into your neighborhood market a few weeks before February, you’ll see it. You’ll see the initial excitement in young girls’ eyes as they see the red and pink cards. You’ll see the head nods of eager grandmothers while they sift through candy. And you’ll see the smirk of thoughtful boys searching for the best teddy bear. If you continue watching, you’ll begin to see something incredibly odd.
Everyone’s excitement is fleeting, as sadness, loneliness and dismay prevail over the initial delight. Amongst the blur of X’s and O’s, we no longer focus on the people we do have, but obsess over the people we don’t have—the boyfriend/girlfriend we don’t have, the ring we don’t have, or the happy ending we fear we’ll never get.
Why don’t we give Valentine’s Day a chance? It is simply a day to tell the people we love that we appreciate them. Sure, it seems a little excessive when the city turns into a giant row of romantic comedies and chocolate hearts, and you seriously resent any shade of red and pink, but what holiday isn’t overdone by Hallmark?
Why do we envision this particular holiday as an awful day to be dreaded and avoided at all costs? The 14th of February becomes an unspoken war cry and everyone hurries to his artillery of seclusion.
Could it be that St. Valentine’s Day isn’t a war at all, but an overrated fairytale we build up in our heads? Think about it. All of our fantasies and desires rest on one single day to be fulfilled. We allow a mere 24 hours for magic to fix our lives, and when it doesn’t, we push away from the day even more.
Will he rush to the airport gate and propose in a desperate fury?
Will she finally notice me?
Will a secret admirer come out of nowhere and express his undying love?
How is it realistic that any of these things will ever come true, let alone all in one day?
It doesn’t matter if you’re old, young, single or attached; reality will always come second to our wishful thinking. Even an intimate dinner for two at a fancy restaurant won’t fulfill our deepest cravings.
Valentine’s Day hasn’t done anything wrong. It never promised a steamy rendezvous or eternal bliss. Love is all around. You are loved already.
We should embrace the day of love as just that. Tell the people you love that you adore and cherish them.
So let’s put down our weaponry of romantic comedies, come out of our barracks of pajamas and give in to the love craze. Show, tell and be with the people you love this Valentine’s Day and save your embellished wishes for another day.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Kendall Schoemann at Kendall.schoemann@colorado.edu.
