Every year on February 14^th the world celebrates the “holiday” Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day is commonly known as a day of last minute over-priced gifts with cheesy sayings, a day that most people actually hate. People all over the world hate Valentine's Day; some hate it with such a passion that they have no problem sharing it with the world. I suppose I can understand why.

Some believe that we shouldn’t dedicate only one day to love someone; you should love your significant other everyday. Some say that pink stuffed animal monkeys and crappy store brand chocolates should not be a way to define someone’s love. Others are just bitter because they don’t have that person to love or rather a person to love them.

Well as crazy as it may sound, I love Valentine's Day. I always have. I can remember being in Kindergarten and being so excited to have our Valentine's Day party in class. The pretty colors of pink, red and white with heart decorations all over the classroom. Eating sugary treats that I know everyone appreciated. But most importantly, I got to hand out my valentines to all the kids in my class; my detailed, hand-made, made with love valentines. I think that is where my positive interpretation of Valentine's really started.

Most of the people that hate Valentine's Day are the people that feel they have no one to share the holiday with. So they hate on the day when they don’t see the bigger meaning.

The definition of love is an intense feeling of deep affection. Synonyms of the word include fondness, warmth, endearment and attachment. I don’t know about you, but I feel that way towards a lot of people. I love my family: the people who support me in everything I do and enjoy seeing me happy. I love my friends: the people who are always there for me and bring me comfort even on my worst days. Those people I feel nothing but love for. So yes, I don’t want to go make out with them in a pile of rose petals on Valentine's Day, but I do think they deserve some recognition. I think they should know that I do love them and that I am thankful for them being in my life. I think it is important for them to know that, especially because I don’t think we say it enough.

As for the presents, they aren’t necessary. Just expressing your love to your loved ones is thoughtful enough, but they do make people smile, and that’s important. I don’t know a girl who doesn’t love flowers, and I could probably eat a whole bag of heart-shaped Reese's peanut butter cups all by myself, and I have a feeling I am not the only one in that boat either. There is no need to buy a new Rolex watch for all your friends and family unless you have that kind of money (in that case you can love me if you want). In all seriousness though, big expensive gifts are not necessary. A home-made card would do the trick.

So as that six year old girl handing out her valentines in class, I wasn’t scoping out my next lover and possible husband. I was giving everyone the valentine that they deserved to show that I was fond of them, to show that I did think they were special, they did play an important role in my life and hey I guess I did love them.

On Sunday February 14^th 2016, please don’t be so narrow-minded on the word love. Realize that there are plenty of people out there that you don’t want to see with their clothes off, but you still love them, and remember that there are people out there that love you too. Happy Valentine's Day.