The traditional day that lovers express affection for each other, Valentine's is most commonly associated with the heart.
Thursday several Ball State University students will spend their evening with someone special, usually a significant other. While the majority of people only think about their boyfriend/girlfriend, Valentine's Day is more than flowers, heart-shaped candy and romance. It's about being friendly.
Despite the amount of money you might spend on your significant other, take the time and celebrate the holiday with other friends. I am not asking you to disregard your loved one, but to not seclude yourself from everyone else. Somehow, there needs to be balance. Spend a few dollars on conversation hearts and pass them out. Eat a few too. In addition, make some homemade cards. Get creative.
Although Western cultures often influence Valentine's Day, other parts of the world celebrate the holiday in different ways. In Columbia, the Día del amor y la amistad translates to "Love and Friendship Day." Instead of focusing on one person, Columbians usually assign a person a recipient who is to be given an anonymous gift. Hence, "Love and Friendship Day."
Remember in elementary school when we had to give valentines to every student in the class? Even if we only liked a certain boy/girl, we were still told to make a card for everyone. The celebration of Valentine's Day has taught me to be friendly and most importantly treat everyone equal. The candy is probably the best part, but the beautiful colors and cheerful gifts make Valentine's Day truly an enjoyable time.
While I have a girlfriend, whom I love and celebrated Valentine's Day with three days ago, I still believe Feb. 14 goes beyond the figure of the winged Cupid. I will admit I bought a couple gifts and took my girlfriend out to dinner. But I also bought a card for my mother and plan to say "Happy Valentine's Day" to all my friends.
In fact, during my senior year of high school, I celebrated the holiday with three close friends. And yes, I was single. The four of us (two guys/two girls) went to a nice Mexican restaurant and had a great time. It may have been awkward seeing all the other couples express their love to one another during dinner, but my friends and I laughed it off and enjoyed each other's presence.
Although students should take the holiday seriously for the ones they love, it should ultimately be a friendly and fun day. Decorate the apartment, eat the chocolates and burn the candles. It's about the love, but when did love pertain to one person? Tila Tequila doesn't think so.
So, while most Ball State students will spend Valentine's Day (time and money) with one person, I urge you to expand the friendliness to everyone else. Make cards for the entire family. Buy the candy for the roommates and not just yourself.
At the very least, acknowledge the holiday to your friends. Though it's nice to spend the evening with the one you truly care about, I guarantee your closest friends would appreciate a valentine or perhaps a heart-shaped sucker. It may not seem manly for the guys, but who cares. Laugh it off. Have fun with it. Besides, in elementary school you most likely secretly enjoyed the process. So why not continue?
Jason Marer a sophomore secondary social studies education major and writes 'Think to Exist' for the Daily News. His views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper.
Write to Jason at jsmarer@bsu.edu
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