Valentine’s Day is for Everyone

Hearts, chocolates, roses, candlelight, kisses...can you guess where I’m going with this? It’s almost Valentine’s Day! Nothing says it quite like the usual tokens of love. Love it or hate it, it’s a special day that reminds us to reach out to others and demonstrate our love.

I’ve never been a bummer for Valentine's Day, because I never felt pressured to need a significant other to celebrate. It makes me so sad when I hear my friends or colleagues sigh at the mention of Valentine’s Day. While most of us will spend time with our significant others on Valentine’s Day, that doesn’t mean those who lack romantic partners should miss out.

The Greeks have an interesting way of describing love. Rather than using the word love as a blanket statement, they are careful to define it in several ways:

• Agape- selfless love that can be reflected towards others, but more importantly toward God.
• Eros- romantic and passionate, expressed for a significant other.
• Philia- a deep, loyal, brotherly friendship.
• Ludus- playful such as friendship between children or “puppy love.”
• Pragma- long-lasting love between friends or even couples that signify loyalty and submission to one another.
• Philautia- love for yourself which reciprocates to others.

While we may not find ourselves falling into all of these categories of love, we can identify with most of these forms of love. Instead of thinking of Valentine’s Day as a holiday for romantic lovers, we should celebrate it with the intention of spreading our love to those around us. 

This brings me back to kindergarten where each of us would bring candy treats for the whole class and we would bask in smiles and happiness while munching on 25 varieties of candies and treats. Sometimes we need to take a break from the pressures of daily life (including finding a boyfriend or spouse) and simply cherish the people around us who warm our hearts....

 it’s a good thing we have a day dedicated to that. ;)