By: Deborah Amewoyi
On Feburary, 14 every year there is a worldwide wide commemoration of valentine’s day – a day where lovers get to exhibit so much emotions and care to their partners as a sign of genuine love.
The day is marked by sharing chocolates, gift cards and flowers. Some couples go out on dates wearing red attires to mark the occasion.
There have been various myths about the actual story behind the marking of this day. Some legends say marking the day is significant in portraying Valentine – a catholic priest as a heroic, romantic figure who defied the Roman authorities to perform secret christian weddings.
Other versions say a priest called Valentine who was imprisoned fell in love with a young girl who visited him everyday. He wrote a letter to her with the inscription “from your valentine “
Well, whatever the real story maybe, due to the proliferation of smart devices and social media platforms, loners (people who are not in any form of romantic relationships) tend to use this day as a form of self love and positivity affirmations. We get to see that whilst couples share media contents in forms of gifts and treats from their loved ones, loners also get share words of affirmations and self love quotes to ease up so much tension seen on the various social media platforms.
In my recent interaction, ‘male loners’ say it cuts down cost – where dont have to organize special exorbitant treats just to show how caring they can be.
The ‘female loners’ also believe that their worth is not identified by their relationship status hence the essence of self love.
But it is rather unfortunate that in some cases, some ‘loners’ enter into toxic relationships due to the pressures surrounding the marking of this day.
It is important to know that the day is mostly about love so it should not really matter whom it is spent it. Generally it is okay to enjoy this day with a partner but in instances where they are unavailable, self love should be the ultimate.
