A day of celebrating love and happiness, Valentine’s Day is a classic holiday for celebrating affection. From when we were kids, we brought gifts to all of our classmates, a cute activity to show our love for each other and have fun. When we get older, Valentine’s day is a beautiful celebration of love for the special person in our life.

Love and gifts are exchanged in the name of St. Valentine, so who is this mysterious saint? The church recognizes three saints named Valentine, and all three were martyred. 

One legend says that Valentine was a priest during the third century of Rome. Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men so they could be soldiers instead. Valentine defied this and performed secret marriages for young couples in secret. When he was discovered, he was ordered to death. 

Another story says that Valentine was imprisoned, and sent a “valentine” to the jailer’s young daughter who he fell in love with. It is said that he wrote her a letter signing “From your Valentine,” the start of the phrase used today.

The legends of St. Valentine all portray him as a heroic and romantic figure, a true symbol of the holiday. 

Although it is typical for romantic love, Valentine’s day can be for anyone. Celebrating your parents, siblings, and kids is also a beautiful way to spend this holiday. It’s a great opportunity to show the important people in our lives how much we truly do love them. Having good friends that are always there for you is so special, and although Valentine’s day is especially about romantic love, it is important to celebrate those people as well. No matter what happens, your friends and family will always be there for you, and showing them love is just as important.

Finding the person that you want to spend the rest of your life with is such a blessing. Your significant other, whether they are your lifelong partner or not, is committed to you and to sharing their life with you. We should be celebrating that beauty every single day, but Valentine’s Day is a chance to use an age old tradition to especially celebrate your connection with that person.

There are so many ways to celebrate the holiday, like going to dinner with your significant other, buying them flowers and chocolate, getting them a gift, and more. No matter how you choose to celebrate, the most important part is to use it as a day to show your significant other how much you love and appreciate them. 

All your closest gals, gathered together, for a get to together you will never forget. Celebrated Valentine’s Day Eve, February 13, or even on Valentine’s Day, is a special holiday celebration named Galentine’s Day.

It originated from the sitcom Parks and Recreation’s Leslie Knope. She celebrated Galentine’s on the show, with all her close friends and had a special brunch. She has set a path for this incredible day. 

Galentine’s is a day to celebrate those people who are always there for you, your best friends. Whether it’s for advice or a coffee run or a shopping day, they are always by your side loving you each step of the way.   

Enjoying the day can be celebrated in so many ways. There are no cinematic  standards or unrealistic expectations for this. It can be as simple as ordering in, in sweats, or a full blown pink dress code and fancy dinner. Galentine’s has no rules. You can make it as extravagant or as low key as you see fit. There are no costumes or big turkey needed. You can do whatever you want to shower your gal pals with love and make them feel special. 

This is Friendsgiving to the next level, single or not, all your friends can enjoy a day of cherishing their bonds with you. Karaoke, games, board night; this has the potential night to remember. 

Valentine’s Day usually has the prerequisite of flowers, chocolates, romantic dates, and spending the night with your one true love. Most definitely involving a tight outfit you have to squeeze into, and beauty appointments throughout the day. Basically, the expectations are for a Netflix special to be made out of your day with your partner. 

Not to say that this holiday is all unrealistic and Hallmark, it has positive aspects as well. It’s a day to celebrate your loving relationship with your partner, and your special connection. Finding love is a complete blessing and it is deserving of a day to celebrate. 

However, it has turned into a dreadful day for those single or even in a relationship. Bachelors and bachelorettes alike are faced with the reminder of the ticking clock of life, and if they are ever going to experience “happiness” with someone. Furthermore, couples feel the pressure of perfection closing in for this date: the gift, the flowers, the date night. Will it be enough?

This is where Galentines reigns superior. All it needs is a group of people who love each other. Check! You have all your beautiful friends, whether it’s 3 or 13, you have them to cherish this day with. The celebration is simple: quality time. You choose how you want to spend the day. You can enjoy it to the fullest, which is what holidays are all about: Spending time with those you love.