The Valentine Debate

The Valentine Debate

Pro

For some people, Valentine’s Day is the worst time of the year. Singles especially see Valentine’s Day as something only for those in a relationship.

I’ve pretty much been single my entire life, but Valentine’s Day has always been fun. I love hanging out with my friends or going out to dinner — nothing about the holiday is limited to people with a significant other (SO).

Not having an SO doesn’t mean Valentine’s Day should be ruined for you. Going out and having a good time or just chilling by yourself doesn’t mean your day was horrible. People host singles parties, and you can always make reservations to eat with your friends.

Another plus is a lot of singles are out on Valentine’s Day, and it’s possible to meet someone.

Being single shouldn’t put a damper on the holiday — or any day of the year.

If not being in a relationship or just hating romance in general makes Valentine’s Day the worst  day of the year, it probably doesn’t have anything to do with the day and has more to do with insecurities surrounding being alone.

Bottom line — it’s a holiday and it should be enjoyed with friends regardless. Just like Halloween, Hanukkah or Christmas, having friends and family around is a staple, so having a partner shouldn’t be the top priority.

Love doesn’t have to be between a boyfriend or girlfriend. Love is shared with friends and family as well. Love isn’t limited, it can be felt by anyone and between anyone.

If spending the day with your dog makes you happy, then do it.

If using a face mask does it for you, then do it.

If eating a great meal with friends and family gets you in the spirit, then do it.

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for people in a relationship — don’t restrict what love can be.

Valentine’s Day is what you make it, so if you want to sulk all day then maybe that’s why you hate it.

Worst case scenario, at least you can get discount candy at the store on Feb. 15.


Con

Make sure to have your copy of “The Notebook” and a box of tissues on hand in the weeks to come. It’s finally here: Valentine’s Day — where there is enough love in the air to make your eyes water, and the PDA is around every corner.

We all know what comes next — heart-shaped-boxed chocolates, assortments of red roses and 10-foot teddy bears fill the store aisles.

Restaurants are booked infinitely by table-for-two dinner reservations.

But most painful of all, the Shane Co. monologue is embedded into your brain by the never-ending commercials for diamond earrings. Everything is planned weeks in advance — it has to be special, and it has to be perfect.

But if the description above doesn’t match your yearly, single routine, don’t sweat it.

I’ve been single my entire life, and if there is one thing I can count on, it’s that I don’t have to worry about Valentine’s Day. I can easily ignore it.

But if you are in a relationship, that is the last thing you want to do.

Valentine’s Day’s true purpose is to serve as a time to express your endless love.

Unfortunately, the expectations of an unconventional gesture, combined with the pressures to be romantic, can actually derail a relationship, not enhance it.

Partners may not meet standards, and these failures can lead to harmful outcomes.

When partners no longer seem to make ends meet, alternatives may seem more and more alluring.

Valentine’s Day can also turn relationships into a ticking time-bomb, serving as the final push toward the inevitable break-up.

All those issues that you and your partner tried to avoid are now rising to the surface, and struggling relationships may break under the pressures of the big day.

Although this holiday was intended to create a celebratory lovefest, it has transformed into a highly-marketed spectacle and hazardous ride for lovers.

So if you’re upset about not catching cupid’s arrow, just see it as dodging a bullet.