Meditations on V-Day

In my twenty years of life, I've discovered that the general public has several conflicting views and emotions on the subject of Valentine's Day. There are those who have their certain someone and have made plans to do "something special." There are others who spend it alone, sometimes wallowing in self-pity, sometimes not even acknowledging it as a national holiday (in case you're wondering, I'm not agreeing or disagreeing with those behaviors--that's another story). Some spend it with their friends--these are girls I'm talking about--and embrace the "Guys--who needs 'em?" mentality. Others view it as another day that commercial America has taken ahold of to use for marketing purposes.

I've noticed that oftentimes we limit our "Valentine's Day love" to a spouse or significant other. I think it includes all of the important people in our lives--our families and friends as well as our boyfriend/girlfriend or spouse. I think that far too often our loved ones are taken for granted, and it's almost as if Valentine's Day is the day we all realize this--and quickly hurry to the store for choclates or roses to make it up to them. Valentine's Day doesn't require jewelry, floweres, candies or gifts; it's a time to spend with the important people in your life... and it shouldn't take a holiday to do this.

-Ashton