It’s Not All About Love on Valentine’s Day

Roxana Callejas, International Studies Academy, Wat it do, ISA? (February 2007):

I do not like Valentine’s Day and I don’t celebrate it. I personally think that Valentine’s Day can be any day of the year. If you need a day to show somebody how much you love him or her, why do you have to wait until Valentine’s Day?

Across the world, loved ones exchange flowers, gifts and chocolates on February 14. According to everythingvalentinesday.com about 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged each year. That's the largest seasonal card-sending occasion of the year, according to the site.

A lot of people think that Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate just the love between two people that love each other. But that is why some people don’t like it -- because they may not have anyone to love.

From the beginning, Valentine’s Day wasn’t made for love; it was made for friendship. Most reports claim that Saint Valentine was a martyred saint of ancient Rome who was killed for refusing to give up Christianity.

Legend also says that Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine.” Another legend says that Valentine, just before being killed, had restored sight and hearing to the daughter of his jailor.

The original Valentine, according to legend, was not a love note. It was a friendship note. If Valentine’s Day is a day for love, you can show your love to family and friends, or somebody special in your life.

Where I’m from in Guatemala, Valentine’s Day is also called “The Friendship Day.” People use that day to be with their families and friends, and show how much they appreciate them.

I like “The Friendship Day” because it includes more than two people that love each other and everyone can celebrate it.

This year, I will celebrate Valentine’s Day by giving cards to my best friends and my family and telling them how much I love them.