Love for all or love for one?

Olivia Davis - Reporter

   Every January, the shelves at the stores start to fill up with pinks, reds and whites. The boxes of chocolates are set out to catch the public eye as February nears. Most people believe that Valentine's Day is focused on romantic relationships. Contrary to popular belief, this is just not true. Valentine’s Day should be a day that is not only celebrated with your significant other but also the people that you love most in your life. 

  For most people in high school, having a romantic relationship is not the reality. However, having a relationship on Valentine’s Day is heavily popularized. 

   “Pressure comes from social media and comparing yourself to other people’s relationships because you see people getting each other gifts,” junior Adrianna Richmond said. 

  Today, many kids and teens are on social media, which exposes them to unrealistic standards of the dating world. The pressure to have a relationship around Valentine’s Day has made most people who are single come to dread the sweet and heartwarming holiday. People who are single do not necessarily hate the holiday, but rather the standards that come with it. Valentine’s Day should not be focused on gifts or getting into a relationship two days before Valentine’s Day just so one can celebrate the holiday. Instead, Valentine’s Day should be focused on celebrating your love for your friends, family or those that are closest to you. 

   “Love shouldn’t be celebrated on just one day, it should be the whole year. People think that getting gifts is the most important thing. You have friends and family around you that you should show love to. This is why valentines day should be celebrated everyday,” Richmond said. 

  This Valentine’s Day showing love for other people should be the top priority instead of limiting that love for one person.