It’s February 13th, 2015. You’re a blissful and wide-eyed third-grader. Your homework is nonexistent. The only thing on your mind is figuring out which crayons to use for each of your classmates’ valentines. You adorn your best friends’ cards with vibrant bursts of color, while reserving the dullest and ugliest shades for your class nemesis. The next day, you watch with delight as candies of every variety accumulate within your backpack. You beam with glee as you exchange candy hearts with your best friends and giggle as you slip one onto the desk of your crush. You spend the rest of the day in a sugary jubilation as you make your way through the many Sweet Tarts and Dum-dums gifted by your classmates. 

Now, it’s 2023. The holidays seem to have been losing their luster with each passing year and Valentine’s Day is no exception. The elementary elation that you used to know has been replaced with gloom as you scroll through an endless array of happy couples on your Instagram feed. You want to join the festivities, but an English essay looms above your head about the death of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s love for each other. How fitting. You resign yourself to the fact that the only significant other you’ll be spending the day with is your computer screen. It may seem as though Valentine’s Day has aged alongside us. For many, it now evokes feelings of loneliness and jealousy rather than youthful enchantment. For others, Valentine’s Day can challenge the integrity of their relationships: you forgot to buy a box of chocolates and a teddy bear for your girlfriend? Good luck explaining that one. 

But regardless of whether or not you celebrate with a significant other, Valentine’s Day can simply be an opportunity to grow closer to those around you. Although our perceptions of the world mature as we get older, it is important to preserve the radiance of childhood throughout our teenage and adult lives. It is our responsibility to do so as Middle and Upper School students by continuing to partake in communal festivities each year. To keep the spirit of Valentine’s Day strong, write cards to your friends and teachers. Send candy grams even if they’re slightly overpriced, and enjoy the class disruption while it lasts. And remember, you don’t need a significant other to express your love and gratitude on this holiday. Spend time with your parents, grandparents, siblings, and pets. Or, if you want, just buy yourself a box of chocolates and watch Netflix.