Valentine’s Day is a public holiday observed annually on Feb. 14 that celebrates everything from friendships to high school crushes, which have changed students’ views of the holiday as they grew older.
Valentine’s Day traces back to the story of a priest who performed secret weddings against orders from the Roman emperor. Today, the holiday has become a global celebration where friends celebrate by exchanging heartfelt cards and sugar candies.
“Valentine’s Day is a time to be very sentimental and express to people around you how much you really love them,” said Callie Hernandez, a sophomore at Carlmont High School.
Valentine’s Day is the day of love, and expressing your love to one another strengthens relationships and builds connection.
“I used to think Valentine’s Day was stupid, like why can’t you love everybody every day?” said Sayuri Stock, a sophomore at Carlmont.
Growing older, Stock realized that it is nice to have a day to celebrate and appreciate the ones you love, a view shared by Hernandez.
“My perspective on Valentine’s Day changed from late elementary school to middle school, because it used to be a time when you got candies, but now it’s a time for romance,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez refers to the time in elementary school when students would receive heart-shaped candies from classmates with notes. These memories brought her a sense of deja vu.
“Connection is represented for the school community, and there is a day where people can have a feeling like they are part of a group,” said Jim Kelly, the Carlmont Assembled Student Body (ASB) teacher.
Connection is an important part of celebrating Valentine’s Day, reminding people to share love with their community.
“Valentine’s Day means showing love for everyone around you, including friends and family, not just your significant other,” Stock said.
Stock explains that Valentine’s Day is a day of love, and that celebrating is an important part of it. A new tradition called “Galentine’s” celebrates women’s friendships on Feb. 13, the day before Valentine’s Day.
“I usually throw a Galentine’s Day party with my friends. We dress up, take pictures, and eat food,” Stock said.
Galentine’s Day is meant to remind women to support each other and to allow them to celebrate what makes their friendship unique. This promotes love in a new way, where anyone can celebrate.
Hernandez has a new perspective on Valentine’s Day.
“Valentine’s Day shouldn’t define anything in a relationship, but it is important that you recognize you are celebrating love,” Hernandez said.
Valentine’s Day is known to recognize all the people you love and care about. Today, Valentine’s Day is less about secret weddings and more about appreciating those around us.
“I am excited to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year,” Hernandez said.
