When it comes to Valentine’s Day, there are a few general opinions you can have. You roll your eyes at the commercialized displays of ‘love’ propagated by Hallmark’s capitalist schemes. Or, you’re hoping your boyfriend will buy you one of those enormous teddy bears and fancy chocolates with rose petals tossed everywhere (otherwise does he even really love you?!) Maybe you’re single and long to have a special someone to celebrate. Or, you’re one of those people, single or coupled, who just does not care.
Personally, I’m a mix of all of these people. Part of me loves the sweet and girly aesthetic of the holiday – pinks and reds, hearts and roses, lace and chocolate. Love is in the air! Another part recognizes that it’s a scam capitalizing on a man’s martyrdom, in the name of love and romance. Little is actually known about the real St. Valentine, but I don’t think he’d love to see his story romanticized and commodified. I’ve also been single for every Valentine’s Day thus far in my 21 years. I’d like to think that I won’t make it a big deal when I do have a boyfriend but no promises (at least get me half-off chocolate on Feb. 15, y’know?).
Regardless of your sentiment towards the holiday, it probably does us some good to have a day set aside to remember and celebrate the people we love in our lives. It’s all too easy to get caught up in mundane routines and take them for granted. We should show our affection with grand gestures – after all, these people choose to deal with us!
Okay, okay, maybe it doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. Little gestures often mean more, anyways. Get up early and make Mom breakfast. Take out the garbage without being told. Surprise your friend at work with their favorite snack. Pray for your friends and family! Write your grandparents a letter and mail it. Call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. Be social on social media and comment with genuine compliments. Take your aunt out for coffee. Say hi to your neighbor. Plan a family game or movie night. Learn the love languages of your family and friends and speak their language! Encourage a friend who’s been struggling.
What this all boils down to is being more intentional. It’s putting just a little more thought and energy into our relationships, because they are the best investment we can make. The best part is that it doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day to do it (though the annual reminder is appreciated). I challenge you to make two lists. First, write down things you can do to invest in your relationships; I already got it started for you with the ideas above. Second, write down names of people in your life that you can invest in with the items on your first list. You could also combine the lists; write down names and choose a specific thing to do for each person!
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Greatest Love on a day like today. Romans 5:8 (AMPC) states, “But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.” Jesus’ love for us so fiercely extravagant that he stepped off His throne of glory in heaven and took our place on that tree, while we were still living unholy and offensive lives. I can’t even wrap my head around what kind of love that is, and here I am struggling to love someone who has different political views as me. That is – as the young people say – a big oof.
Your grand gesture of love doesn’t have to be dying for someone. I don’t think that is a circumstance most of us will find ourselves in. And yet, we can reflect His love through our actions, no matter how big or small.
With that, happy Valentine’s Day, my friends!
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