There are many mixed feelings about Valentine’s day. Some people complain about why they need just one day to express their love and also that it’s just a ploy for money. Others on the other hand say it’s just a fun day that you can spend with people you love doing the things you love. However you feel about Valentine’s day, there’s a reason for it like every other holiday.

The holiday has origins in the Roman festival of Lupercalia, held in mid-February. During this celebration a big lottery would be held in which men and women were paired as partners. The name however, Valentine’s day or Saint Valentine’s day, came from a Roman man named Valentine. Valentine was the patron saint of love, young people, and marriages. One legend tells the story that Valentine fell in love with the blind daughter of a judge. He supposedly wrote her secret letters signed “from your Valentine” and as she read his last letter her sight was restored. Due to this and many other legends, Valentine was said to be a miracle maker but this went against the pagen religion. So he was martyred and was beaten, stoned, and beheaded for his so-called “crimes.” Later on, the holiday Lupercalia was named after Valentine.

Although the origin story of Valentine’s day is a gruesome one, it has given us the love-filled holiday we celebrate today. Plus, with all the loss and sorrow many are facing, a day filled with love and gratitude is just what we need. Not just a day for spending your money on chocolates and flowers, but a day for showing your affection and appreciation towards your friends and family. Due to COVID, Valentine’s day will need to be modified, but not too much. Previously, the HMHS students have put together bags of candy and sold them during lunch periods. This year due to the virus and hybrid learning complications this fun event was skipped. Elementary schools have mostly either been sending virtual Valentines, or completely sitting out the holiday this year. However, JFK Holbrook Elementary School is still doing in-person valentines this year. Instead of sending virtual cards cancelling them overall, the elementary school has decided that they would “quarantine” the cards before distributing them. Which means that kids would bring in the valentines early and they would be placed somewhere and left alone for 24 hours before sharing them in order to kill potential COVID-19 germs. However, the JFK Elementary School has canceled treats and goodies like candies for Valentine’s Day this year.

Since we have had such a difficult year and So many people have experienced great losses it is nice to take this opportunity on Valentine’s Day to express our love and gratitude to those that mean so much to us in our lives. It is a day to celebrate all that the special people mean to us.