Valentine's Day shouldn't be a holiday just for boyfriends, girlfriends and special lovers.
Thanks to societal standards, if you're alone on Valentine's Day, you're a loser. If you have a significant other, you're expected to go out on these lavish (and frequently expensive) dates to show your love.
February 14 should be a day where we celebrate all of the relationships we have, not just the romantic or sexual ones. Let's celebrate our best girl friends, our parents, our siblings and ourselves.
Growing up, I always exchanged Valentine's Day cards with my parents with a small trinket or a small box of chocolate. Little memories like that are worth more than anything of monetary value. Parents are the ones that will have your back no matter what. They've seen you grow up into the person you are today and love you unconditionally. Mom and dad are often overlooked, and they deserve recognition every once in a while. (P.S. Madre and Padre, if you're reading this, I love you.)
Relationships are confusing, let alone relationships in 2017. Society says that we have to spend bucketloads of money on opulent, extravagant dates or else we're bad boyfriends and girlfriends. With the spike of prices in movies, restaurants and overall retail, treating your significant other is not cheap. And frankly, we millennials don't have the money to spend. Most girls are happy with a cute Instagram pic, ordering takeout, and watching your favorite movies under a blanket fort. Don't feel bad scrolling through tweets filled with jewelry, clothes and designer labels because love isn't measured in wealth.
Why should boyfriends get all the fun? It's so important to show your love for the girls who have been by your side for as long as you can remember. I don't think it's fair that relationships sometimes take away from the friendships in our life—in my opinion, they're more valuable and rewarding than any relationship. They're the girls you text constantly, offer a shoulder to cry on, and can always count on for a night in or out filled with gossip and memories to last forever.
In this day and age, we spend too much time stressing about work, school and other people. I think it's time that we take time to focus on ourselves and have a "TREAT YO SELF" moment every once in a while. Take advantage of the countless bounty of chocolate on sale, Lush's seasonal picks of bath bombs and bubble bars, watch a classic rom-com on Netflix, and call it a night. Self-care is so important in this day and age, and it's sadly so neglected. If you're not feeling like the best version of yourself, then how are you supposed to create the best possible work and be the best possible friend?
Why should we wait to express our love on this one single day of the year? Why is it socially unacceptable to eat a bag of chocolate by yourself on any other day? Don't make February 14 the be-all-end-all of your expression of love for the people in your life (and the brands of chocolate you adore). Make the other 364 days of the year your oyster, and do something nice for your significant other or your girlfriends! Call your mom on the phone and tell her you love her! Give your grandma a hug!
Do as much as you want, or as little as you please because this day isn't just for romantic partners—it's for everyone.
