Rose Day, Propose Day, Chocolate Day, Hug Day, Valentine’s Day; so many different meanings and ways to celebrate the widespread holiday. Most believe that Valentine’s Day is only surrounded by couples to share their love and affection towards each other. 

While this is true, others forget that it is not solely for couples, but also for friends and family to express their love as well. But even then, is this day that is filled with so many emotions a day worth celebrating?

“I feel like people are just pressuring others to celebrate Valentine’s Day,” freshman Elena Gifford said. “It is a constant reminder that the ones without a valentine don’t have someone to spend it with.” 

Gifford doesn’t care for Valentine’s Day since she believes it is not only a day to express love, but a day that makes others feel bad for themselves and their situation. 

In a survey given to Elkhorn High School, most of the students who said Valentine’s Day should not be celebrated are without a valentine and single, but that doesn’t mean they don’t believe in the concept of the holiday.

“I think it should be celebrated because even if you are not with someone, you could just celebrate it with your friends and family,” junior Aiden Zelasney said. “It’s just an excuse so you can be around them.” 

Zelasney is without a valentine this year, and he claims to have plans to spend time with his friends anyway, which shows how much he cares for them and is not worried about not having a significant other. 

There are some people, however, that let the sadness of not having a significant other determine their happiness for the holiday.

“My opinion might be different if I did have a valentine, but I would put myself in others shoes, like how I am now, and not make it such a big deal since it’s basically any other day,” junior Caitlyn Madsen said. “People just make it more sad for themselves.” 

Between being sad or uncaring are mindsets people need to think about to determine how they want to spend the day.

Almost everyone feels differently about the significance of Valentine’s Day and how to spend it, as proven from the opinions of these people.

“I think it should be celebrated because it’s a time to show the people that you love the affection you have towards them,” senior Lily Hayes said. “I feel like it’s a way to connect with people on a deeper level.” 

Hayes will be spending Valentine’s Day with her boyfriend by going on cute dates and spending time with each other, which is the common expectation from couples by society.

Why is it not also expected for single people to make the best of the day by their independent selves? Why is everyone disregarding the feelings of the people who don’t have a special someone to spend the heartfelt day with?

Even Hayes, who has been in a relationship for a long time, agrees and encourages the one’s spending the holiday with friends or alone to not let the single life consume their happiness.

“Even if I wasn’t in a relationship,” Hayes said. “I would still be spending the day with my friends or treating myself with little things that make me happy throughout the day.”