Valentine's Day, another holiday hijacked by Hallmark to ensure you are spending money to prove how much you love your significant other. While many people hate Valentine's Day with a fiery passion, the ideals of the holiday are actually pretty inspiring when you take a moment to ponder them.
The holiday was originally meant to honor the deeds of the saint, Valentinus. We won't bore you with the historical details, but Valentinus was actually a pretty badass martyr, fighting against the Roman Empire and marrying people who were forbidden to wed. It wasn't until centuries later that the holiday became associated with romantic love when Geoffrey Chaucer penned Parlement of Foules.
Corporatization of the holiday aside, Valentine's Day provides a full day to appreciate the ones we love, romantically or platonically, thanks to Valentinus and Chaucer. And given the current state of affairs in the world, it seems we could all use the reminder.
It may sound obvious, but take the day to remember all the people who make your life wonderful. We encourage you to call them, text them, Skype them, Snapchat them and tell them just how much you love them. Reach out to your parents, your grandparents, your best friend, or your dog, anyone you feel love for, and let them know how much you care.
It's a simple act, but it's sure to brighten their day amid the flurry of shitty news and impending doom.