Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays that people seem to have very strong opinions about. For some, it’s a day filled with flowers, chocolates, and handwritten notes meant to celebrate love in all of its forms. For others, it feels commercialized, awkward, or even lonely. Valentine’s day could be a reminder of what they don’t have rather than what they do. Every year, February 14th sparks the same debate. Is Valentine’s day a meaningful celebration, or just another excuse for companies to sell heart-shaped everything? 

For Ms. Kovar, Cypress High School’s school counselor, Valentine’s Day isn’t quite her thing. “I don’t like the idea that on a specific day that’s when we celebrate our loved one. We should celebrate our love for our loved ones every day.” 

For Ms. Razo, the holiday is a special opportunity to celebrate love, but also thinks it has its limits. “I think Valentine’s Day is great because it’s a day where everyone shows love, she said, “But I also think there should be more than one day to go all out and show up for your significant other.” Her view highlights a common tension: while one day of romance is fun, meaningful connections require more than a single date on the calendar. 

For Ms. Dumadag, she sees Valentine’s Day as a day to celebrate the love of your life. She believes it’s about appreciating the person who matters most to you and taking time to show them how much they mean, whether that’s through simple gestures, spending time together, or just saying how you feel. To her, Valentine’s Day is less about gifts and more about recognizing real love. 

For Mrs. Oatman, however, views Valentine’s Day very differently. She shared that Valentine’s Day no longer holds meaning for her because the love of her life is gone. Instead of celebrating, she chooses to ignore Valentine’s Day altogether. While talking about her past, she shared a story that reflects the love they once had. She explained that she never let him buy flowers for Valentine’s Day because they were too expensive. Instead, he would pick roses from nearby rose bushes and hand them to her, smiling and saying, “You can’t get mad.” Though Valentine’s Day is no longer something she celebrates, her story shows that love doesn’t always have to come from store-bought gifts. It can live in shared moments and memories. 

Valentine’s Day could mean something different for everyone. For some, it’s a joyous celebration of love and connection. For others, it can be unnecessary, bittersweet, or even painful. Whether it’s a reminder to appreciate your partner every day, a chance to go all out for someone special, or a holiday no longer meaningful, one thing is clear: love can’t be defined by a single day. Maybe Valentine’s Day isn’t about doing it “right” but about understanding that love shows, and lasts far beyond February 14th.