It is officially the season of love, and though I prefer Halloween over Valentine’s Day, I still choose to celebrate it. Most see this holiday as one reserved for romantics, but to me, it’s about love in all of its forms.
Platonic, familial, romantic and spiritual love and all their expressions deserve to be honored as we revel in the beautiful connections that shape our lives.
You might be single this Valentine’s Day, and that’s okay. Love is not confined to relationships, nor should celebration be. I embrace the holiday by doing the things that bring me joy—things that remind me that love begins within.
Being a horror and thriller fanatic, I indulge in my favorite eerie films, perhaps sneaking in a chick flick for tradition’s sake. And on Feb. 13, I celebrate Galentine’s Day, a tribute to sisterhood and womanhood, an extension of love’s grander spectrum.
A night out with girlfriends, a cozy sleepover, or any moment shared with the women who inspire me that is love, too. It’s a reminder that love isn’t solely romantic, nor should it be boxed into one expression.
Many people reject Valentine’s Day, and I understand why. The way it’s marketed to us makes it seem as if only one romantic love is worthy of recognition, but I refuse to let love be so narrowly defined.
So, if you can find it in your heart to embrace the holiday this year, even just a little, buy yourself flowers or gift them to someone else. Remind yourself how precious you are, a reflection of those who came before you, of the universe or of whatever divine presence you hold dear.
Maybe Cupid missed you with his bow this year, but the love found in friendships, family, art, music, pets and even solitude is a far richer dose, anyway.
Amyri Jones is a 23-year-old digital advertising and religious studies senior from Baton Rouge, La.