By Annette Trossello

Cards with cupid and sweet sentiments of love, stuffed bears with hearts that light up when they kiss, chocolates galore. Valentine’s Day is upon us. So Pulse wonders, what does Valentine’s Day mean to you?

In high school, I never had a boyfriend, so I loathed Valentine’s Day. My friends and I would have anti-Valentine’s Day parties. We made gingerbread men and bit their heads off, filled a heart shaped box with candy worms, and watched the black comedy Heathers, which (spoiler alert!) ends with the girl shooting the boy instead of kissing him and living happily ever after.

Even in college when I did have a boyfriend, I wasn’t a fan of V-day ~ but that all changed when I got married.  My husband is a teacher so when we decided in 2007 to get married in the winter of 2009, we had to chose a date either before the December or February break. We chose the Saturday before February vacation, which happened to be Valentine’s Day. February 14th is now one of my favorite days of the year.

Other people have always loved Valentine’s Day. Andy, 28 and married, remembers how much fun it was in elementary school to receive cards and candies from classmates. He also feels the first or second Valentine’s Day a couple is together is the most exciting, and also “can see it being a reminder for long-time married couples to do something special and take time for romance…” He loves Valentine’s Day presents, especially “taking the time to think of something special” for that special someone.  Sorry, ladies, that Andy’s spoken for ~ we all know a guy or two who could learn something from Andy’s romantic take on the holiday!

Speaking of not all men sharing Andy’s feelings, Tom, 27 and in a relationship, thinks it’s a pretty pointless holiday. He feels that “If you care about someone, she should know it the other 364 days of the year,” and adds that “Hallmark needed people to buy cards in between Christmas and Mother’s Day.”  And not all women embrace the romance of V-day, either. Jackie, 28 and married, doesn’t like the pressure that comes along with Valentine’s Day.  As a history buff she does find the origins of the day fascinating: “…a melting pot of Greek and Roman myths with the idea of “Romantic Love” a la Geoffrey Chaucer tied in the martyrdom of a Catholic Saint.”  She notes that “It wasn’t really until the late twentieth century that marketing for jewelry, cards, and gifts got out of control.” She’d much rather have “a date on a Tuesday or a romantic dinner in the middle of March” than a Valentine’s Day date.

Amy, 28 in a relationship, sees Valentine’s Day as not just a boy/girl, romantic holiday.  She remembers being single and “…sending cards to my family because even if I wasn’t in a relationship with a significant other, there were still people in my life that I love and who deserve to know it!” She recognizes the commercial and gimmicky elements of Valentine’s Day, but loves “that there is a day focused on love!” Instead of gifts, she likes the tradition she and her boyfriend have of trying out a new restaurant each Valentine’s Day.

Single, dating, or married, love it or love to hate it, seems like everyone has thoughts to share about Valentine’s Day!