Happy Valentine's Day!
By Isabella Tricarico
One of my favorite memories growing up was holidays spent in elementary school. Each holiday celebrated the classroom was always filled with the best snacks, movies, and games. I knew it was always going to be a good time. Since it is February, I thought it would be fitting to write about Valentine’s Day. Yet Valentine's Day celebrated in elementary school when everyone got candy and cards is much different from how we celebrate the holiday now. Valentine’s Day is a tough subject to mention, I never know what the reaction of others will be. Some people do not like the holiday because they feel it is only for romantic relationships, while others love the holiday because they are in a romantic relationship, and many simply love the holiday because it is to the core about LOVE, romantic or not.
I love the holiday because to me, it is about love in all relationships not just romantic ones. As I have gotten older, I realized those who do not like the holiday often feel it is centered only around romantic relationships. However, the true meaning of this holiday has been lost. Valentine’s Day is a day of love. Love for your family, love for your friends, love for those who have been there for you, and most importantly, love for yourself.
When I was in elementary school the weekend before Valentine’s Day my mom and I would go to the local CVS and pick up candy. I would love looking at all the different candies (Jolly Rancher Heart lollipops were always my favorite) and picking the one that I felt kids in my class would like. I would rush home and immediately start addressing the candy wrappers to every student in my class and my teacher. Every desk in the classroom had a cutout heart when you arrived, and the teacher would make an announcement when it was finally time to visit each student's desk and place one piece of candy you had brought. When I would return to my desk, there would be an assortment of candies with the words "To Isabella" on them, making me feel special and loved by all my friends.
Since elementary school, I have celebrated Valentine's Day as a celebration of friendship and appreciation for those around me. When we were little this holiday had nothing to do with romantic love and everything to do with friendship and family, and it can still be that way. Romantic relationships are just one aspect of this holiday, there is not enough attention on love in others ways. It is okay to celebrate Valentine's Day even if you are singel, we always have and we shouldn’t stop, even if that is just a phone call home to tell your parents how much you love them and appreciate them.
In elementary school, I would go around and give everyone candy, but I would also give myself a piece of candy. That is an example of why we should always remember to value who we are and how much we love ourselves. I hope you spend at least some time thinking about yourself on Valentine's Day. Whether it's getting your nails done, taking a long shower, working out, or just lounging in bed with your favorite movie, treat yourself to anything that will make you feel loved. Whatever it is that will serve as a reminder to love yourself first every day, not only on Valentine's Day.
