Valentine’s Day, occurring on Feb. 14, is a holiday heavily associated with red, pink, chocolate, candy and most prominently, love. It is often a day for couples to go out for dinner or to go see a movie; a holiday commemorating one’s deep affection for their significant other. But how do those without a significant other in their lives feel about this holiday?
“I think it is a pretty lovely holiday,” QO junior Gabriel Merilos said. Despite not having a significant other at the moment, he does not necessarily see Valentine’s Day as a sad time. “It’s still great giving and receiving gifts of chocolate from those you care about,” Merilos said. “The loneliness from Valentine’s Day pales in comparison to how I typically feel from Valentine’s Day, which is joy.”
Other single students, however, do not share the same positive sentiments about the holiday.
“I don’t appreciate it or celebrate it like other people do as much,” QO junior Sheng Chang said. “It kind of just feels like a regular day.” However, her indifferent feelings toward the holiday do not stem directly from her being single. “I think it’s cute for other people,” Chang said. For her, the holiday simply is not anything special, but it is not necessarily something that makes her feel down.
There is not necessarily always a correlation between liking Valentine’s Day or not liking Valentine’s Day and being single or having a significant other. Take QO sophomore Sofia Marugan, who is currently in a relationship, for example.
“I have never liked Valentine’s Day. I’ve always found it stupid and cheesy,” Marugan said. “Now that I have a boyfriend, I don’t hate it as much and it’s better having someone than being alone for sure, but it’s still a stupid holiday.” Despite her relationship status, Valentine’s Day is simply not a holiday she particularly enjoys or looks forward to. “The real [holiday] is the day after, when all the candy is on sale.”
In response to students who may feel alone on the holiday, one student commented on how to deal with the loneliness. “The key is not to wallow,” an anonymous MCPS student said. “Realize that wallowing in self pity will get you nowhere and you shouldn’t wait to do things with the perfect person.”
Overall, the assumption that Valentine’s Day is simply a holiday reserved for those in a relationship, leaving single people out, is not necessarily true. Of course, everyone’s feelings towards the holiday and relationships in general differ, but Valentine’s Day does not have to be spent with a significant other in order to be enjoyed. Sometimes, just hanging out with friends or spending the night alone doing something you enjoy, is more than enough. There is nothing wrong with just spending quality time with yourself!
Article by Matthew Minton of Quince Orchard High School
Graphic by Charles Wang of Walter Johnson High School