Once you see the heart shaped boxes and the dozens of red roses, you know what that means – Valentine’s Day! Everyone has a different opinion of the infamous Valentine’s Day. Some see it as a gimmick that businesses use to make money, and others see it as a day to express their love for the people that they hold close to their hearts. It’s a day where boyfriends, fiancés, and husbands shower their special someone with gifts and love letters to show their love, but what’s the deal with the red hearts?

The heart is the universal symbol for love. Stores boom with boxes of assorted chocolates, teddy bears, cards, jewelry, and roses, but why red? Universally, red symbolizes passion and romance. Being a woman on Valentine’s Day is wonderful. Who doesn’t like to be spoiled and appreciated every once in a while? But regardless of if your Valentine’s Day is being spent with a man, your friends, or even your family, everyone deserves to feel loved.

On the superficial level, Valentine’s Day is all about showing love and affection for someone through expensive gifts. However, aside from the gifts, the day is deeper than that. Just showing your love and affection for someone is the most important way to make them feel special. But what about the people who spend it alone? Those who are spending this day alone, whether they be suffering from loss or just do not have a companion, have a different outlook. They dread the day that they see couples holding hands, walking down the streets, and kissing on the corners. It’s almost like Valentine’s Day takes us out of the real world for a second. But when February 14th comes to an end, the grand gestures conclude, and it’s time to go back to the real world. Valentine’s Day only comes once a year, so what will you do this Valentine’s Day?