Valentine's Day Antiquated But Still Sweet

by Zara Messano

Tuesday February 7, 2006

In middle school, I recall, there was always a lot of excitement surrounding Valentine’s Day. I always got candy and bright, trendy cards from my friends who seemed eternally fearful as to whether or not to give some boy a card or present.
It was, along with much of middle school, an unnecessary fear—perhaps still real, but more likely hyped by teen magazines and crowd mentality. Why couldn’t they just be happy with whatever turned out?

If they did give something, and the recepient fell in love with them because of a box of sugar hearts, wouldn’t they be the least bit skeptical? Since this continued through all of middle school, apparently not.

I hope that now, in college, this paranoia has subsided a little. It was not that I was exempt from such fears but, looking back, it was a holiday–not a trial. And yet, it seems that whenever February comes around, everyone gets a little terrified.
Here at Sarah Lawrence, I believe we are not as trivial as middle schoolers, but perhaps still afraid. I know many (straight) girls who are still appalled by the obvious gender imbalance. Now, St. Valentine is not suddenly going to make that 50/50, but that is
still no reason to fret.

The holiday may painfully bring this imbalance to light, but remember that you did not come to college to be showered with gifts on February 14 for four years.

Or, at least remember that NYU is not so far away. If you are still down, realize that it is probably not the fault of some ancient saint, so chill. The holiday candy will be on sale in a day or two, and you will rejoice for the day you once thought so petrifying. Make something good of it.

There seems to be some expectation that by the 14th, if you’re alone, then you’ve just let down a whole nation of confection manufacturers, soulmate hopefuls and even a saint.
You may think that you are going to miss out on everything Valentine’s Day stands for—but you’re wrong. There is no need for these anti-Valentine’s Day parties or resolute girls walking the campus determined not to wear red or pink or anything that might possibly have little hearts on it.

You might be wondering, "Who is this Saint Valentine, anyway?" Walk into any convenience store this time of year, and you will see little cherubs, child-like winged deities, on rows of greeting cards.

This chubby icon is not St. Valentine at all, but is in fact representative of Cupid, the son of Venus, the Roman goddess of love.

According to the History Channel, legend says that Valentine was a priest during the third century in Rome. When marriages for young men were outlawed because of war he performed them secretly and was eventually caught and jailed.

He is a martyr, today recognized by the Catholic church. The Valentine’s traditions we have today were born much later, around the Middle Ages, mostly in England and France. Many holidays have an interesting history that today have become watered down and commonplace.

I have rarely found that people who dislike Valentine’s Day to have any actual knowledge of why it was created.

A holiday with such rich and diverse cultural legends doesn’t really deserve the complacent scorn of embittered teenagers.

Valentine’s Day is for lovers: lovers of chocolate, of flirting, of anything. Those little hearts with writing that don’t even taste very good? They’re a word lover’s dream. It’s a day for poets, too—the amount of incredible literature that comes from the celebration of being in love is enormous.

Get out your pen and join in. Valentine’s Day is a reminder to pluck up your courage and talk to that person you’ve been eyeing across Bates.

After all, everyone enjoys hearing that they are liked; Valentine’s Day is as good an excuse as any!

Maybe, though, you’re out of luck. Maybe holiday or cherubs or not, you find yourself sans date… So? Make cards for the people you’ve been stalking, go to Bronxville and grab some hot cocoa with your pals, hit the city if you like.

Basically, make your own holiday fun. Valentine’s Day is not here to boo and hiss at you, it is not some huge terrifying monster—it’s a good excuse to further enjoy yourself. Don’t put it down, don’t mope and whine, celebrate.