Valentine’s Day is arguably the most controversial holiday.  

The origin story of Saint Valentine is somewhat gruesome and violent. During the 3rd century BC, Emperor Claudius of Rome executed two men named Valentine on Feb. 14. For their sacrifices, the Catholic Church honored these men with St. Valentine’s Day.   

 Despite this dark history, companies across the world have changed that narrative over time and turned it into a day of gifts, love, and profit of course. As a child I was fascinated with the fourteenth, the idea of being in love was something foreign to me and yet something I dreamed of having when I got older.  

My feelings toward Valentine’s Day changed and developed, and by the time I got older I was slightly more bitter. I never had a significant other throughout high school so I watched my friends receive flowers and candy grams at the lunch table, while I was left empty handed. Yet, this wasn’t what caused my aversion to the holiday.  

Fast forward to my freshman year of college, I am in a long distance relationship and decide to surprise him and fly home for Valentine’s Day. Let’s just say this visit doesn’t go as planned, and by the end of the weekend I was getting on a plane back to Coastal broken-hearted with a newfound hatred for the holiday.  

However after two years of being mad at the world every Valentine’s Day, I had an epiphany. Feb. 14 is neither good nor bad, it is simply one day out of 365. Sure something bad happened to me on Valentine’s Day but that doesn’t mean the day is evil, cursed, or anything of the sort. Bad things happen on regular days and good things happen on regular days.  

Consider this my formal apology letter to Valentine’s Day, I judged you too quickly and for that I’m sorry. Whether you have a good Valentines or not this year, just remember it’s the people you surround yourself with that will make or break this day.