More Than a Day of Roses
“So text your best friend, call your family, take yourself on a solo date — whatever love looks like to you, embrace it. Because love, in all its forms, is what truly makes life worth living.”
Valentine’s Day is often portrayed as a celebration of romantic love, filled with roses, chocolates, and grand gestures. While there’s nothing wrong with these traditions, they tend to overshadow the many other forms of love that shape our lives. Love is not confined to romance. It exists in friendships, family bonds, and even in the relationship that we have with ourselves. Instead of limiting our expressions of love to a single day like Valentine’s Day, we should embrace the connections we have with ourselves and others all year round.
Love Beyond Romance: A New Perspective
Let’s be honest, romantic love gets all the hype. But isn’t it time we give other kinds of love their moment in the spotlight? Consider your best friend — that person who supports you through thick and thin, listens to your endless rants, and gets you through anything. Love is that. For example, your sibling who drives you crazy but would protect you from the outside world. That’s love. And what about the love you give yourself when you choose to pursue your goals, take a vacation, or enjoy your favorite meal? Self love is just as important, if not more. Not everything has to be about romance.
The Power Of Friendship
Platonic love. The deep, genuine connections we share with friends. These deserve more recognition. The people who make us laugh till we cry, encourage us, and remind us that we are never really alone are our friends. In times of family chaos, breakups, or even just when we need someone to exchange memes orstreaks with, they are there. Strong friendships can endure a lifetime of love, and they can be more fulfilling than temporary romantic relationships.
Family: The Foundation Of Love
Family relationships, whether with parents, siblings, or extended relatives, are another crucial source of love. While family dynamics can be complicated, these bonds are often the ones that shape us the most. A simple “How was your day?” from a parent, or a text from a cousin, or possibly a shared meal catching up with your grandparents reminding them about their youth — these things can remind us that love is present in the little moments. Taking time to appreciate these relationships can make a huge difference in our emotional wellbeing.
Self Love
Now, let’s talk about self love. In a world that constantly tells us we need to be “better”, “stronger”, or “more successful”, it’s easy to be our own biggest critic. But here’s the truth, self love isn’t about being perfect. It’s about embracing who you are, flaws and all. It’s about treating yourself with kindness, setting boundaries, knowing when to rest, and recognizing your worth. When you love yourself, you set the foundation for every other relationship in your life.
Love Every Day, Not Just On February 14th
As Valentine’s Day approaches (and has passed by the time you view this article), let’s challenge ourselves to think beyond the usual chocolates, teddy bears, and roses. Lets celebrate our best friends, appreciate our families, and most importantly, show ourselves the love we deserve. Love isn’t meant to be bunched into one day. Love is something that should be shared, expressed, and felt every single day of the year.
So text your best friend, call your family, take yourself on a solo date — whatever love looks like to you, embrace it. Because love, in all its forms, is what truly makes life worth living.
