The Many Faces of Love
Valentine’s Day is my second favorite day of the year, even though New Year’s Eve will always take first place in my heart. When I shared that with my brother, he was horrified; he just couldn’t believe I’d fall for such obvious commercialism. Given my well-known resistance to being told what to do, he found my affection for Valentine’s Day completely baffling.
My response was simple: any day that celebrates love is a good day.
According to legend, Valentine’s Day started with a priest named Valentine. Despite his emperor’s belief that single men made better fighters, he secretly married young couples. His defiance suggests that love is worth fighting for, and whether true or not, Valentine became our patron saint of love.
Over time, other traditions emerged. Medieval knights and noble ladies secretly exchanged romantic notes and small tokens of affection. As centuries passed, this tradition evolved into the love letters and gifts we exchange today.
Cupid, red roses, and boxes of chocolates are modern-day reminders of love, whether we lean into them or roll our eyes just a little. Exchanging heart-shaped cards, a tradition dating back to the 17th century, is one of the few customs that has remained remarkably unchanged. It’s hard to think of Valentine’s Day without remembering those little cards exchanged in grade school.
Now we have something new to celebrate, courtesy of Parks and Recreation. Galentine’s Day, falling on February 13th, celebrates the joys of female friendship. It is a day of brunches, chocolates, and toasts to the women who show up, time and time again, to brighten our days.
Galentine’s is a reminder to appreciate the women who stand beside us and run interference through the ups and downs of children, parents, and our partners. It is a day to embrace sisterhood, the power of friendship, and the ability to laugh at the absurdities of life.
We can choose to celebrate love in any and all its forms. Love for partners, friends, family, and most importantly, self. That last one is often the hardest to remember and the easiest to neglect, but probably the most important one of all.
Whether you're sending a card to a romantic partner, spending time with a girlfriend, raising a toast to yourself, or doing nothing at all, let the day be a celebration of connection, warmth, and self-appreciation.
