Valentine's Day Deconstructed

It's fast approaching. "I love Valentine's Day," gushes all of those in happy relationships. "Bah humbug!" moan our nation's singles while finding it a poor excuse to pick a man's heart every 14^th of February.

This holiday may not be in the political limelight the way religious based holidays are, but it certainly provokes the same emotional outrage. We don't try to tell schools and shop employees that they shouldn't say "Happy Valentine's Day for fear of offending someone, who maybe doesn't believe in love, or who doesn't have love. And yet, people seem to voice their offense much louder than anyone I've ever heard take offense to a mere "Merry Christmas."

I know a lot of people who don't identify with being Christian, but still attend Christmas parties and even dare to say "Merry Christmas." However, at most college campuses or apartments full of bachelors/bachelorettes you can find the anti-Valentine's Day party. You will find those wearing black, scowling at those in love and even taking vocal offense to the phrase "Happy Valentine's Day." Why then is there not a national debate about the political correctness of a holiday celebrating something that not everyone in the country can take part in?

What drives this holiday is our hearts, not faith, intellect or organized religion. And there seem to be only two choices. You either have a valentine or you don't. And even more so, in an instant, your mind can be changed. We all hate Valentine's Day until that special someone asks us out. Then suddenly it's not so bad. We all gush and flaunt our love of this holiday, until we're dumped on the 13^th.

What are we actually celebrating? Is it love or hormones? And why are so many people made to feel down on this day? It seems like we are living in a society that puts so much pressure on people to be in relationships. At what point will society offer the alternate holiday? The holiday that celebrates people who have chosen not to be one half of a couple or the section of society who either genuinely longs for, or feels forced to long for, a mate.

I'm by no means cynical of love or relationships, nor am I a disgruntled single. Actually, I think the day is a nice day to honor loved ones. What irritates me is the hypocrisy. In a society that battled so fiercely to have religious holiday expressions removed, for fear of offending, I find it odd that no one has taken up the Valentine's Day cause. What are we saying to those who are single? What message does the day send to young, career driven men and woman who maybe don't have time for love? What message are we sending to people in society who might have love interests regarded as taboo, who cannot flaunt their love like everyone else?

I'm a devil's advocate at heart, and while I don't think the holiday should be abolished, I just think that society needs to make up its mind. We live in a politically correct world and either we're genuinely concerned about offending our countrymen or we're not. I had a customer service agent apologize profusely after accidentally saying "Merry Christmas" to me, on the grounds that she may have offended me. It's ok, my religious affiliation is irrelevant, and I appreciate her wishing me well on the 25^th of December. I must say, I've never had anyone wince when wishing me "Happy Valentine's Day." No one ever questioned if I believed in love, was in love or had a boyfriend/husband etc..

So for all you lovebirds, I wish you a Happy Valentine's Day. And for all you singles, I hope you can enjoy the evening celebrating the life you've built for yourself thus far!