KEARSTIN CANTRELL | Opinions Editor

I’m personally getting really tired of everyone ragging on Valentine’s Day.

In one corner of the ring we have singles bitterly saying “Woe is me. It’s the day of love and I have no one to love.”

News flash: You do.

A short list of people to express love to on Valentine’s Day aside from a significant other would include, but is not limited to: your best friend, your second best friend, your frenemy, your mom, your dad, your siblings, your cousin, your cousin twice removed, your dog (not your cat because they don’t like love), your doorman, and so on and so on. I think you get the point.

According to International Business Times, 59 percent of Americans celebrate the day by showering family with love as well as significant others. Not to mention that 22 percent of Americans show some puppy love on Valentine’s day and invest in gifts for pets as well.

As someone who spent 20 Valentine’s Days “alone” but very loved and very loving, I’m telling you it is possible to love a holiday that’s intention is to focus our minds on the people we love and are thankful for.

In the other corner of the ring we have those in relationships saying “But Valentine’s Day is so cliché. I don’t want to get them chocolate or flowers or any of that stuff.”

Okay. So don’t.

Make a scrapbook of your favorite pictures together. Write a really nice card or, heaven forbid, a love letter. Go out to a nice dinner together. Order a pizza and watch a movie. Or mostly simply of all, just say “I love you. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to include a grand gesture of love and devotion (just a small one).  

In the third theoretical corner we have people who don’t care about their Valentine’s Day relationship status, but rather the status of capitalism saying “Valentine’s Day is just a Hallmark holiday.”

Yeah, but we celebrate every other “Hallmark holiday,” so is that really why you dislike Valentine’s Day.

At the end of the day, Valentine’s Day is about showing the people around you how much they mean to you. Which you should do every day, but this day just gives us a little more push to do so.

Today, instead of trying to list every reason to dislike the day, embrace it. Express your love. Show your devotion. Communicate gratitude to the people in your life.