Roses are red, violets are blue…let’s hear some valentines thoughts from YOU!
Valentines Day…Origin? The 14th century – yet here we are in the 21st. Overrated and a pure menace or underrated and secretly wholesome? We interview students to get their hot takes on this notorious holiday and delve deeper into whether this is a social construct or something to be celebrated.
Ah yes the self proclaimed day of love, more commonly known in our generation as “a slumber party on the Highway!” What piques the interest is the realisation that this holiday keeps each generation in a chokehold…whether it’s an instagram story of roses, a handmade card or a dinner date. It’s a day to honour a person or pinpoint attention to yourself through a brown fluffy teddy shaped facade. Regardless, it’s the ONE time you can’t be judged or labelled a ‘SIMP.’ I guess everyone is encapsulated with the concept of being loved…and proving to others we are loved. We may not realise it…but that’s what it is. But, if we truly love someone, must we prove it through a dozen stems? Or is it something that should be implicit in our day to day life..?
I personally love the excuse to go out to dinner with my girls for Galentines—or maybe I’m just secretly salty because I lowkey wanted that Lego flower bouquet. Anyways, here’s what you had to say.
Valentines Day ♥️
Noun – the day where everyone indulges in the feeling of being wanted and validated simultaneously.
Smells: like red roses and spoiled milk (if you’re single and envious)
Humans are kinda funny, no? – NOOR RANDHAWA
Valentines is honestly just like any other holiday. Whether romantic or platonic based love, it isn’t something that necessarily has to be put on a pedestal, neither should it be denounced. It’s whatever makes you and the people closest to you happy! Galentines is certainly underrated though.
My high school had a Valentines concept where you paid $1.00 to get chocolates or flowers sent and EVERYONE did it for their friends (not just partners!). It was meaningful because everyone received something – and what a wholesome way to show the quieter people in your classes some love! – EVANA CHAN
Valentines? Underrated. Especially by us single people who spend too much time criticising the day. A lovely chance for us single people to appreciate our friends AND ourselves. To understand that a significant other is not essential for us to live a happy and fulfilled life. It’s something to look forward to – celebrating one day with the right person. I think it should just be a wholesome day full of love, acceptance and joy. – WILL
Other noteworthy one-liners from students;
“Bro my ex was born on valentine’s so I’m perpetually reminded of him”
“The concept of love in society. Driven by materialism.”
“Valentine’s day? More like capitalism.”
So I guess there’s a small fragment of Valentines in every single day – the little ways we show the five love languages to our friends, family and partners; a handpicked flower from a field, scheduling a coffee between a class or even having arms open for someone when they need it most. I leave with a wise quote from none other than Winnie-The-Pooh…
“How do you spell love?” – Piglet
“Oh, you don’t spell it…you FEEL it.” – Pooh