Maybe it was the fact that we always got free candy from my classmates in school, or maybe it was because our teacher always let us have the day off to engage in crafts and baking, but ever since I was young, I’ve loved Valentine’s Day. The aesthetics, the concepts, the candy: what wasn’t there to love? I remember teachers inviting in parents to help us bake cookies and enjoying cupcakes and other fun events the teachers had planned for us throughout the day. The rest of my classmates seemed to share the idea that Valentine’s Day was usually a pleasant holiday where we could relax and have some fun, similar to all the other holidays we celebrated throughout the year. 

That idea quickly changed towards the end of middle school though. Suddenly, people started dating and getting into relationships, and the ones who weren’t in these relationships always complained about being “alone” on Valentine’s Day. Just the other day, in fact, I was talking to one of my friends about how I was looking forward to Valentine’s Day, but she simply began to complain about being sad and lonely. She proceeded to tell me that Valentine’s Day was just an excuse for people who were in relationships to show the world that they were happier. To this day, I remain confused about why people feel the need to be with someone else on Valentine’s Day because there are so many reasons why I love this holiday from the bottom of my heart, even though I am not in a relationship.

First things first, you can’t deny that Valentine’s Day has its own aesthetic. Walking through the store surrounded by pink and red hearts, with discounted candy on every corner, you can’t help but feel the holiday approach. On top of that, I have a huge sweet tooth, so all the chocolate on sale is a great excuse to go on a shopping spree without wasting a large amount of cash. I’m already planning to stop by Walmart as soon as Feb. 14 passes to buy my stash of candy to last me for the next few months.

Not only are the sales great, but it also gives you a great excuse to hang out with your friends or family and watch classic romcoms. I also love to spend Valentine’s Day baking a cake or some cookies to share with my family. You can also play love songs and join in on the happy holiday atmosphere and have a little fun, even if it’s by yourself.

Overall, Valentine’s Day is just a great excuse to celebrate with those you love, whether or not you have a significant other. Whether that’s buying bagfuls of chocolate to last for the next few months, or spending a whole day eating chocolate and drinking pink lemonade, it’s an enjoyable experience regardless.