Love is in the air here at Benilde-St. Margaret’s, but for some students, February 14th is nothing but a typical Wednesday spent hating everything pink. For these students, Valentine’s Day isn’t about love, roses, and chocolate; rather, it’s a reminder of how single they are. As the world celebrates romance and passion, these students sit around wishing they could press the fast-forward button and get the day over with.
Valentine’s Day has been around since the 14th century, created as a day to celebrate love, compassion, and admiration for your significant other or a friend. However, as years went on people began to hate the idea of a whole day being dedicated to those in relationships. Junior Khalif Brown says that Valentine’s Day excludes people that are not in a romantic relationship, and it can make most people feel bad about themselves. “I feel like it makes people less happy, it brings down their joy when they are spending the day admiring something they don’t have,” Brown said.
Valentine’s Day is most known for quality time spent giving gifts to your romantic partner, it also allows you to celebrate platonic relationships that mean a lot to you. Though the bright red and pink colors that contaminate stores, hallways, and commercials are meant to spread the loving spirit, they can irritate some people. “I feel as though it’s very unnecessary. And it’s just a bunch of people in public doing things they should do in private. And it just bothers me to see people do that because it’s just like keeping that at home. Keep it separate,” freshman Isabella Ogunsanya said
As couples venture off to restaurant reservations, movies, clubs, and quality time, those who are single find themselves in the comfort of their own space watching Netflix, sleeping, binge-eating, and of course romantic comedies to fantasize about something they wish they had. “I think it’s kind of played out and corny, people do the same thing every year. But you know, for me it’s just another Wednesday,” senior Adonis Hunter said.
Despite the fun decorations that engulf the halls of BSM, for most students, February 14 remains a typical Wednesday for them. Even so, there is a reminder that love comes in many forms, and instead of being envious of something you don’t have yet, perhaps finding a different kind of love can help you enjoy days like these more. “Don’t feel bad because you don’t have a Valentine, because half of the people who got one this year probably won’t have the same one next year,” Hunter said.