Valentine's Day.

It's one of those holidays, like Christmas, New Year's, and Easter, that wants the consumers to buy more. At Christmas, it's buying the latest lights, lawn decorations, trees, and the top selling presents for 21st century kids. New Year's, there are the party hats, drinks, and snacks. Easter, it's the baskets, colorful eggs, jellybeans, chocolate, and small gifts. If aligned, Valentine's Day falls into the same category, with chocolate, stuffed animals, flowers, balloons, and cards. All these holidays are full of nothing but advertisements screaming "Buy me! Buy me!" Obviously, these tactics are for business purposes, a way companies profit off of people's hard-earned money and winning their heart's desires. A way of buying happiness in a world of wanting more.

What if we dedicated Valentine's Day just for showing love to everyone, without all the gifts? Think about that for a minute. How would that change our views on love itself?

The type of love we show on Valentine's Day needs to be the love we show people everyday-- 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round. A holiday that only comes once a year should not be the only time we show love.

Love is a powerful part of life, an instinctive part of human nature. Some people are able to directly show love through hugs, smiles, and sharing of gifts. Others may show love indirectly through notes and words of encouragement. There are even some who don't know how to express love, which is perfectly okay. Everyone expresses love differently, which is why it is so special.

Love is how we treat people with respect, despite beliefs and values. Love is being able to be joyful, even in times of great distress. Love is confusing, mysterious, exciting, frustrating, fearful, sad, and joyful. Love matters above all of life's greatest gifts. You can try to buy happiness, but in the end, all it's going to bring you is disappointment, emptiness, and a broken heart. Love cannot be bought, no matter how much you try.

Why do I say all of this? When I developed a strong and solid friends group at college, I didn't care if they didn't believe what I did. We've had our disagreements and our moments of solitude. What overshadowed all of this? Love. They love me for who I am and put me in my place when I step out of line. I love them, because they are the nicest and strongest group of friends I've ever had. Our group is diverse, different and unique. Love binds us all together. Love is a friendly reminder that "family is more than blood." When you celebrate Valentine's Day next week, spread that love to others for the rest of your life.