Georgina Gamble ’29

by Georgina Gamble ’29 on February 12, 2026

For my whole life, the sheer mention of Feb. 14 caused me to eye-roll. I eye-rolled at everything: the edible arrangements, the heartfelt Instagram stories, the capitalism of it all—I even held bitterness towards the heart-shaped Reeses, even though we all know they taste better than the normal ones. 

To me, Valentine’s Day was a weak attempt at making what is arguably one of the worst, depressing months of the year a little brighter. That attempt only seems (literally) profitable for the roughly 70 percent of the American population who are in a relationship. For the rest of us—the other 30 percent—Cupid forces the seasonal depression a bit deeper into our hearts each year, as we find ourselves in the aisle of CVS buying red and pink bags of Reeses that will be eaten all alone. 

But, I urge caution on those who feel too comfortable hating on Valentine’s Day— Cupid’s arrow can strike hard. And when it does, it is quite the wake-up call. 

I am on the other side of (what feels like) the war now, joining the 70 percent. Feb. 14 feels a bit different from this angle: less of a gut punch, and more of a really exciting obligation.

Going into my first Valentine’s Day as a girlfriend, I can say with sincerity that this holiday isn’t just every candy company’s payday. I reflect on my elementary years, where my valentines were my classmates. We exchanged tiny, flimsy cards and conversation hearts, amongst a plethora of other candies. I remember it feeling like Halloween in the middle of February. I was so excited the night before as I got to fill out each and every card for all 20-something of my friends, signing each one off with a heart or a smiley face—and delivering them to my classmates with a grin and a lollipop picked to their liking. 

I think fondly of the years when I would come home from school to flowers and a box of chocolates from my dad. They were always fancy ones that he picked up on his commute home from the city—and they were always delicious, too. 

I realize now that I never actually had a bad Valentine’s Day in my life, just not the commercialized one that everyone strives for. 

There are so many types of love in the world, and so much of all of it. Valentine’s Day should be harnessed as an excuse to spoil the people you love, or at least hug them a little harder. The chocolates and public professions of love are great, but I think it can easily be considered a much more special holiday than that. No matter how much you think you hate Cupid, I think it’s important to spread joy on the dreaded holiday, for everyone’s sake. Call your grandma if that’s what it takes, or compliment a stranger.

Embrace the sappiness—besides, there’s always discounted candy the next day.