Valentine’s Day doesn’t matter, but that never mattered

Valentine’s Day doesn’t matter. In all reality it never has, but I think we, collectively as a society, decided a long time ago that in despite of that fact, we just don’t care.

It’s not that we’ve gotten less creative or that we lack the effort, either. It’s just that the digital advancement of technology makes the preservation of innocence nearly impossible.

With unlimited information readily available at our fingertips, the speed of news, and the cultural melting pot we’re all addicted to called social media, you’d have to be intentionally ignorant to still buy into the “spirit” of Christmas, “magic” of Easter, “gratuity” of Thanksgiving and yes, even the “romance” of Valentine’s Day.

We’re on to you, retail stores. No one still actually thinks that Valentine’s day is anything more than consumerism wrapped in heart-shaped chocolate boxes. There isn’t anyone who’s sold on the idea that flowers, cards, doting words, and actions intended to cater and validate our partner are solely tied to one singular day in February.

What sets Valentine’s Day apart from a regular date or romantic celebration, really? What’s romantic about knowing the fourteenth is coming up? How does one “mix it up” and keep dates interesting when it falls on the same date every single year?

Anyone with any remote semblance of a smartphone can use Google to find out that Valentine’s Day is actually a dark, gory date in history.

If we really wanted to celebrate Valentine’s Day for its true meaning, men would sacrifice a goat and a dog, then whip women with the hides of the animals they had just slain. And, um, I’m not sure if you’ve been around the past couple centuries, but that definitely would not fly in today’s society.

Why we do it anyway

The reason we still acknowledge Valentine’s Day today despite how insignificant it truly is, is simple: the demand.

Just like lying to kids about the tooth fairy and pretending that this country actually gives a damn about Native Americans on Thanksgiving, we’re still up in arms about finding a date and getting our significant other whatever their heart desires because at the end of the day, they still want it.

In what reality would anyone want to skip out on an opportunity to be the center of attention? Point me to an individual that would skip out on the chance to show off gifts their significant other got them to all their friends, and I’ll show you a liar.

Valentine’s Day literally only matters because it still matters to someone.

A lot of times when this time of years comes around there’s an influx of individuals who think their take on the holiday’s lack of meaning is groundbreaking, as if their observation is a revelation. The truth of the matter is that, like every single other pointless holiday, at this point it’s subjective. It matters to who it matters to.

Whether they like it or not, those who are in a relationship are bound to the happiness of their partner. If their expectation on the fourteenth of February is to celebrate, then that’s exactly what must be done. Otherwise, it’s just another day.

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The symbol of the 14th

The fourteenth of February is a symbol now. Where in the past it might have been this traditional practice with meaning, now it just represents how far you’re willing to go and what you’re willing to do make it special for the person who actually cares.

It’s not about the essence of the day; it’s all about being a servant for the person who it does mean something to. Like birthdays as an adult, Valentine’s Day is only as important as the person you’re celebrating.

Not everyone wants a birthday party; some people don’t even have their birthday advertised on Facebook. On the same note, if their born day means everything to them, then, just like that, there’s work to do.

Who knows, there may be a point in time when you find yourself with someone who could care less about that specific day, someone who wants random acts of selflessness and love throughout the year.

You may even find yourself one day wanting to go all out on Valentine’s day. But today, at this juncture in our society, the only determining factor of the day’s significance are those who say it is.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t matter, but trust me, if you’re with someone who feels differently, that doesn’t matter at all.