As February 14th rolls around, people are preparing to send gifts to loved ones and spend the day with friends, family, and anyone who plays an important role in their lives. Still, many people forget how important Valentine’s Day really is.

Valentine’s Day originally began in ancient Rome as a Christian Feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine. Pope Gelasius I established St. Valentine’s Day on February 14th in the 5th century. Later, it became associated with romantic love in the Middle Ages.

While many think Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love between couples, its significance goes much deeper than one might think. The holiday encourages people to recognize all the different types of love in the world; it’s an opportunity to express our appreciation for the important people in our lives who make a difference.

I spoke with Pedro Garcia, a classmate of mine, and asked him what he thinks about Valentine’s Day. “I think Valentine’s Day is a very important holiday, and I use it as a day to appreciate my family by sharing gifts with them.” Pedro also said, “I also really enjoy Valentine’s Day because I get to eat a lot of chocolate.” 

In the end, while Valentine’s Day is often seen as a day for romantic love, it’s really about recognizing and celebrating all types of love. Its a day to show appreciation to all the people who matter the most. As Pedro Garcia stated, it’s a time to give gifts and enjoy time with others.