Despite being one of the most hated holidays by some and stereotyped as a “Hallmark holiday” by others, I always loved Valentine’s Day growing up.
As soon as Christmas ended and the New Year began, I could not wait to go to the store with my mom to shop for Valentine’s Day cards — usually “Hannah Montana” or “High School Musical” branded — for my classmates at school.
After the cards were purchased and the day of love finally rolled around, I was even more excited to hand them out and receive new ones in return. At the end of the school day, everyone went home with something, and no one left feeling unloved or left out.
At home, Valentine’s Day was even better. My parents would treat my brother and me to a box of chocolates and a heart-shaped pizza. My grandmother would visit, and we would all spend the evening together, relishing the day dedicated to spending time with those we love.
However, as I grew older, Valentine’s Day began to feel less festive than it had in days past. When I entered high school, I began identifying with those who hated a day dedicated to love.
Gone were the days when no one went home feeling unloved or left out. With every balloon, rose and candy gram I didn’t receive, it was difficult not to be envious of those who did.
Nevertheless, my beloved Valentine’s evenings at home with my family remained untouched. My mom and dad continued to buy my brother and me boxes of chocolates and heart-shaped pizzas even though we were now teenagers, and my grandma still paid a visit, happy to spend time with her family. I may not have received the love I wanted at school, but I received the love I needed at home.
I didn’t realize it then, but today, I recognize Valentine’s Day doesn’t only have to be about the romantic love a majority of people believe the holiday is devoted to. It can also be about familial love, the love between friends, the love for a pet, the love for a community, or, most importantly, self-love.
While celebrating all those things and more this Valentine’s Day, I will also celebrate my love for The Oakland Post.
I love working for The Oakland Post. I love getting to meet so many different people, and I love being able to share their stories. I love working with a group of talented individuals, and I love having the opportunity to see those talents flourish through the creation of our newspaper each week.
I loved being a features reporter and content editor, and today, I love being the editor-in-chief. In this position, I have aided in making a special edition such as this one, and yes, I’ve loved every second of it.
So today, on Valentine’s Day, even if you’re someone who hates the holiday because of a preconceived notion that it solely caters to one type of love, we invite you to sit down, preferably with a box of chocolates or a heart-shaped pizza, and read our special edition dedicated to all kinds of love.
