Valentine’s Day has many connotations. Some see it as a day to spend with their significant other, some see it as a day of heartbreak, and some see it as just another day. But what if it were more? What if it were a day dedicated to acts of selfless love and taking the time to show that?
One traditional view of Valentine’s Day includes men buying women treats, flowers, teddy bears or another sentimental item due to expectations built over the years. Some men feel specific pressure to buy or do things for the women they admire to prove that they still admire them.
During his freshman year, sophomore Caden Miller found himself single on Valentine’s Day and felt pressured to find something to do for the women in his life. Miller said he enjoys serving others, so he decided to do just that for his friends. On Valentine’s Day, he bought flowers for three women who he was friends with to let them know he appreciated them.
“I kind of find myself trying to take care of other people’s needs,” Miller said.
Although the day is most commonly celebrated by showing someone how they are appreciated, sophomore Matthew Mihalko said he sees Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to serve and love the community as a whole.
“I think it would be cool if people turned it on its head and turned this into a love everyone type thing rather than just your significant other,” Milhako said.
Milhako continued with ideas such as finding someone who needs their house painted, lawn mowed or story heard. He emphasized the importance of going out of your way for someone that you usually wouldn’t.
“To sit down and be like, ‘I am going to be intentional with someone I don’t know and not just people I do know’,” Milhako said. “I feel like that means a lot more. More than just the people around me. Reaching out to others and showing them love.”
When junior Zane Harris heard Milhako’s idea, he said he admired the call for a different perspective of Valentine’s Day. He said he thought the effort given on that day should be carried out every day.
“I think it’s beyond Valentine’s Day,” Harris said. “You should be living out Valentine’s Day, or the idea of that, every day because you want to, not because you have to.”
Senior Justin Hajicek suggested change of mindset through questioning the holiday itself.
“Why do we need February 14 as an excuse to tell the people in our life we care about them,” Hajicek said.
