Saint Valentine

 

The story of Saint Valentine is not certain. What is certain however is that it is a day to celebrate love and those you love. It derives from a popular myth, a positive story, however these days it can make those without a partner feel down. It's almost turned into a day more either hating or celebrating being single.

   I disliked the idea that you should be told when you should show that you love someone. However realising that it is in fact the celebration of an ancient myth changes my idea towards it slightly.  It is only consumerism and society today which have changed something beautiful into another day you need to spend money. He/she who spends the most instantly becomes the most romantic and is deemed better than those who forget or don't do anything. It is not a neccessity. We need to remember where it came from, instead of it giving us a reason not to talk to our partner for days if he/she forgets.

   We also need to remember to celebrate love every other day of the year, telling someone you love them and that they are valuable to you spreads a lot of good. We need to recognise those who are doing good for each other rather than those who are doing bad. Why should we be made to feel sad by the bad news we hear every day, and only celebrate love on one named day?

   The myth itself is a lovely idea which connects us to the past. Just because it has now become so commercialised I was ready to dismiss it. I think we need to think more about what the day actually stands for, rather than buying each others love. Expenses don't say love, 'I love you' does.