Valentine’s Day, the day when all couples collectively go out to a fancy dinner, and the day all the single people out there sit on their couch and watch rom-coms with a box of chocolate they got themselves. Which leaves the question, when does this day of love start?
The holiday dates back as far as 496 A.D., when Saint Valentine was put to death on February 14th, and Pope Gelasius established the holiday to honor him. Saint Valentine was remembered for his secretive support of young marriage, which was looked down upon at the time, according to Days of the Week.
Years later, romance was taken more seriously, where famous writers would be inspired by this day and create sonnets or plays about love. William Shakespeare’s work is the most recognized, as he is known for his romantic poems or quotes from “Romeo and Juliet” or “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” according to NPR.
“My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite,” Shakespeare said in his sonnet, “Romeo and Juliet.”
This day of love continues to make history. According to Taste of Home, 71% of Americans plan on going out to dinner that night, which leaves restaurants packed even from just reservations. Some couples decide to have a nice candlelit dinner because of how insanely busy some destinations are.
“My boyfriend and I go to the movies to see one that comes out that day, and then we go to dinner at BJ Brewhouse,” Piper Gordon ‘27 said.
Now, Valentine’s Day is a day to express people’s love for each other, mostly their partners. But this day also opened a day for a new unofficial holiday called Galentine’s Day. Galentine’s Day is when friends can gather together for a brunch, movie night, and sometimes exchange gifts with each other. Galentine’s Day has made people think that the month of love isn’t only about romantic relationships, but about platonic ones too.
“Getting my friends’ little gifts is my favorite tradition for Galentine’s Day,” Kyla Anderson ‘26 said.
Overall, Valentine’s Day has been recognized as a day to appreciate the love of your life, exchange flowers and chocolate, and even ask your lover to be your Valentine. But over the past decade, friends have created a holiday to show their compassion and love for each other, as love is not only for romantic couples, but it is also to appreciate our friendships with one another.
