Our real V Day hero. Image: Warner Bros. Pictures
February 14 means one of two things: a day of love, or who gives a f*ck, with people falling firmly into one of either category.
As a lover of themes, weddings, compliments and presents (my love language is: all of them), I think it's a fun little way to say I love you. But I may be in the minority, with only 23% of Australians planning to celebrate Valentine's Day this year.
Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day?
While the origins of the day are mixed - for a Pagan fertility ritual to a patron Saint Valentine who would marry lovers in secret - the holiday can be traced all the way back to the third century. What led to sending romantic sonnets and poems soon amassed into an industry worth $480 million.
The argument against Valentine's Day
On one side, the argument is, why is there only one day to show love for your partner, friends or family? This should be everyday, I don't need to commercialise how I feel. And in theory, of course, this makes sense. Every day, we should tell those we love how we feel, try to alleviate their stress, do something nice, give them a hug, get them a treat, give them a compliment.
But, you know.
There's laundry to fold, and a kitchen bench to clean (seriously. There's always a kitchen bench to clean), and the dog needs to go to the vet and the kids need their lunches and that report for the boss is due and I need to work out but I also need to watch the latest episode of my show and so sometimes it just... slips away from being front of mind.
I could go on a date, or I could sit in my room and watch My Stories. I should sit and ask about their hopes and dreams, but I need to listen to the finale of my true crime podcast. She busy.
Why we should celebrate Valentine's Day
My point is, sometimes life gets in the way, and while you should of course never let this completely takeover, a day to really let love in isn't so bad! Just like we should always be conscious of our energy usage, but we are more so on Earth Day, or always think about Women's Rights, but they're at the forefront on International Women's Day, and while your mum should be celebrated 24/7, there's extra attention on Mother's Day. Valentine's Day can be that gentle reminder to take a moment with those you love to reconnect and just enjoy each other's company. It also doesn't just have to be a significant other - my late dad always gave me a chocolate rose or bunch of flowers, and I've adored spending Galentine's Day with my girlfriends on February 13. Why not?
Love is one of the most powerful emotions on Earth. Battles have been fought, wars have been won, poems have been written and songs have been sung.
To me, Valentine's Day is more a reminder to take some time for you and the person or people you love. It isn't about spending a lot of money on gifts, crazy extravagant dates, meals or declarations of love (although note to my partner: I'm not averse). It's about saying, hey. I'm taking a moment, away form the distractions of life, to acknowledge the love I have for you every day.
It could be at the top of the Eiffel Tower, or it could be eating your favourite home cooked meal on the couch. How it is done doesn't really matter. But there's nothing wrong with acknowledging momentous occasions in life.
In between the work, the chores, the schooling and the sleep, there's the celebrations, the holiday seasons, the births, deaths and marriages, the graduations, the promotions, the winning, the losing, the concerts, the trips, the couch chats and yes, the day of love. Why not?
Because without them - both the celebrations and the downturns - this is what creates a life of love and everything in between.
