Valentine’s Day is a necessary evil

Analyzing foreign policy isn’t easy, but it’s a walk in the park compared to writing about Valentine’s Day. Go ahead, I dare you: Sit down at your computer one night and try to pump out 600 words about love — possibly the most abstract topic imaginable.

And here, I’ll do you one better: Try to write about it in a way that’s universal, but not clich‚; realistic, but not bitter; and personal, but without unnecessarily revealing intimate details about your private life.

This column has unquestionably been my toughest assignment to date. Chances are that no matter what I say, my significant other is going to misinterpret it and my fraternity brothers are going to make fun of me for it. So what’s the point of Valentine’s Day? Is it even worth it?

It’s true that this beloved holiday has the potential to be a real pain in the arse. It can require much preparation, and at the end of the day, it could end up taking a significant bite out of your wallet. Scheduling conflicts and unforeseen circumstances also can arise, throwing a heart-shaped monkey wrench into even the most skillfully crafted planning.

But don’t get me wrong — I’m no cynic. For all the logistical problems associated with it, I see Valentine’s Day as a welcome change of pace. In fact, few things irritate me more than these anti-Valentine’s Day people who rail against the dreaded occasion because they can’t find a date or because their most recent fling didn’t have the fairytale ending that all think they are entitled to.

In theory, I think Valentine’s Day is a great thing. Having a day where people around the world stop for a few hours to pay extra-special attention to their loved ones isn’t just a good idea; it’s virtually a necessity and more necessary now than ever before.

We live in an age where romance is considered an outdated concept. Most guys can’t tell a rose from a dandelion, and most girls would rather be Carrie Bradshaw than Audrey Hepburn. Even things that should be commonplace have all but evaporated from the typical relationship.

When was the last time you went on a real, genuine, bona fide, honest-to-goodness date? For most college students, it’s been a long time. (For the record, anything involving Natty Light or your FlashCard does NOT qualify as a date.)

I don’t think romance is dead; it’s just a little harder to find these days. But that doesn’t mean we should stop looking, and what better time to start than Feb. 14?

So fellas, bust out that necktie. Ladies, slip on those pointy shoes. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Even if your situation isn’t ideal, try to make something good happen. Nobody says you have to blow your bank account on fine wine and expensive restaurants, either. You don’t even necessarily have to have a boyfriend or a girlfriend. Maybe just take an amigo or amiga out to dinner to let them know that you appreciate them. Valentine’s Day is worth it, and just like the rest of the year, it’s the little things that make it so.

Tony Cox is a junior philosophy major and a columnist for the Daily Kent Stater. Contact him at [email protected].