"Love is patient, love is kind" 1 Corinthians

Valentine's day has come and gone. It makes you wonder why is it a holiday? We know the story of St. Valentine, but how has the feast day transformed from a man giving an anonymous life saving gift to an over commercialized and sexualized day of lovers? Does it matter if we celebrate it? Should we celebrate it? What do you think?

I think every year Valentine's day means something different. If it is a day to celebrate love- there is one thing I have learned. Love is ever changing. There are many ways to express love and more people to express love too as the years go on.

I once had a teacher who always wore black on Valentines day to protest the over commercialized red and pink emphasis of the day. He stated that love should be expressed daily and there is no reason why there should be one day of the year to somehow compensate for all of the other days we missed expressing our love. I do agree love should be a simple everyday expression. However sometimes people need an excuse to do grand gestures. They need to feel safe in being a little more sappy than usual. Valentine's day provides just that.

I think we should celebrate the octave of Valentine's day. Whether it is making paper hearts to hang a week before, buying flowers two days before, or trying the discounted chocolate the day after- it can be easier to celebrate if we take the pressure off of that one day and spread it around a little. And better yet expressing our love in small little ways (or spontaneous big ways) may keep continuing throughout the year.