Do not be mine

Okay, so I've been thinking about Valentine's Day lately and then I remembered this article that I wrote during my junior year of high school (2007). It's funny. You should read it. :D

Do not be mine

By Emily Chien

According to History.com, who received their information from American Greetings, Saint Valentine was a priest who illegally wed couples during the third century in Rome when Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage. Another theory states that Saint Valentine was the first person to ever write a “valentine” greeting signing the card “From your Valentine.”

I find it suspicious that the information about Valentine’s Day on the web was given from a greeting card company, and though I do not doubt the truth in the material I still believe that the holiday was formed by the companies themselves.

Along with Secretary’s Day, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day is considered a “Hallmark Holiday,” which is a day created by card companies who benefit from the holiday more than others.

Welcome to the United States, where we compete with our neighbors for who has the brightest Christmas lights, who has the biggest SUV and who has the most expensive engagement ring. It is not a surprise to walk around the school on Valentine’s Day and see large balloons, bags of candy and sometimes bright, new jewelry.

A holiday that is supposedly about love is sure causing a lot of business for candy companies, greeting card makers and flower shops. I was under the impression that it was only the thought that counts.

Valentine’s Day is only a gimmick to feed America’s need for materialism. If one thinks it is only the teenagers who wrap themselves up in the holiday, then think again. Parents encourage their children to expect flashy and higher quality gifts that are not appreciated. By purchasing them unreasonable items with huge price tags that go to waste, parents are feeding their children’s materialistic nature.

It is apparent that Valentine’s Day is a holiday believed to be for appreciating and loving your significant other. Yet, I still see middle school and high school students spending $50 or more on their boyfriends or girlfriends.

I know there are many of my peers who believe that they are madly in love with their boyfriend or girlfriend, but odds are they will be with another person by the end of the year.

No longer is a romantic dinner at home enough, lately one has to incorporate candy, flowers, jewelry and no telling what else your significant other wants for the special day. The belief in Valentine’s Day is ridiculous. It seems as if teenagers are using this holiday to parade around the fact that they are gullible enough to believe buying their current boyfriend or girlfriend an expensive gift will fix all their problems.