While it may not seem so today, Valentine’s Day has roots in the Catholic church. According to history.com, in third century Rome, marriage was outlawed to ensure that men would be prepared for battle. Legend has it that Saint Valentine married couples in secret and was martyred once he was discovered. In the Middle Ages, the beginning of the mating season for birds was recognized as Feb. 14, which was Saint Valentine’s feast day. This day began to have a romantic connotation and Valentine’s greetings began to gain popularity. The tradition has grown throughout the years into the commercialized holiday it is today.

Because Valentine’s Day is filled with love and relationships, those without a significant other can feel especially alone. Especially in today’s society that is consumed by social media, the endless stream of posts filled with flowers and chocolates can easily make single people wish they had a significant other.

Valentine’s Day, however, is not only a celebration of romantic love. It serves as a reminder to tell our loved ones how much they mean to us. Even for people who do not have a significant other, Valentine’s Day can be a time to celebrate friendships and family, and to show them how much they are valued, whether it be through flowers from a parent or a nice note from a friend. Trinity Hall’s SCOPE council focused on this less-commercialized aspect of Valentine’s Day through its “Love Week” celebration that invited us to show our appreciation for our teachers and to share our love with those in need.

As long as we remember its true purpose, Valentine’s Day gives us the opportunity to celebrate the special people in our lives, no matter what our relationship status is.