It’s that time of year again. Everything is pink and red at the grocery store and the florists are going to make a killing this week. From a corporate perspective, Valentine’s Day is a goldmine. If one were to judge at a more personal level though, the holiday is usually a hit or miss. There are two types of people: those who love Valentine’s day and those who don’t. 

It usually depends on the relationship status of whoever you would ask. I’m guilty of bashing the holiday as well, bandwagoning with those who snarkily make comments like how the holiday was invented by greeting-card companies. But alas, this isn’t true. 

Valentine’s Day, also deemed “single awareness day” by roughly every person on Facebook who’s single, has been around for centuries to commemorate St. Valentine. More or less we all know this from elementary school, but we choose to be cynical about it because we’ve learned from the movies and all those silly love songs over the years that it is an awful, awful thing to be home alone on Feb. 14.

But it’s not. At least, it doesn’t have to be. The day is about love and there are all types of love out there, romantic love being only one of them. I really do think that if people realized this there would be less redundant “single awareness” posts and more displays of affection and appreciation for the different people we have in our lives. 

For those who don’t have a significant other in their life and for whom this Friday couldn’t be over with fast enough, try putting more energy into showing appreciation for those you care about. Spend some extra time showing that pet of yours some attention, and just be appreciative of all that love you do have. 

For those who do have a date this Friday, enjoy it too and don’t forget about those other non-romantic relationships you have in your life that could use some extra, well, love.