Hearts split over Valentine's Day

The holiday that many people celebrate on Feb. 14 has a different meaning to students at ASU than it did to people less than 2000 years ago.

First established in the late 400s, the holiday was created in honor of the Christian martyr St. Valentine. It soon became a day of significance for lovers as a chance for them to celebrate their affection for each other through handmade cards and gifts, a custom based off the legend of Valentine giving his ‘beloved' a card he had written her while in jail.

However, for some students such as freshman Jenni DeBie, the holiday has become too commercialized and has lost its special meaning.

"It has become more of a status thing than anything else," she said.

Now better known to many as ‘Single's Awareness Day', it has become rather "pointless" for some people and "should burn," she said.

Some agree with DeBie's idea that the holiday isn't what it used to be.

"It's definitely lost some of its meaning," junior Chelsea Atkinson said.

Despite this, she likes the holiday, she said.

"I still like Valentine's Day just because I'm a hopeless romantic at heart," she said. "It's sweet to see people do nice things for each other."

Atkinson said the meaning does not only apply to significant others.

"It doesn't have to be romantic," she said. "It's just a day when usually people are happy because something is going right in their life with a significant loved one or even a family member."

Junior Max Kennady is another student who feels this holiday is not just for those in a relationship.

"I think it's a time when the singles could go out with a group of friends and do fun stuff," he said. "It is more geared towards couples but that's probably because it's so commercialized. Singles can still have fun."

There are some students, such as freshman Evelyn Sullivan, who have conflicting views on the holiday.

"I feel that the social stigma that surrounds it now is degrading to the original intent of the holiday," she said.

However, it is a holiday that has meaning to both her and her family since her parents were married on Valentine's Day, she said.

"My sister and I have actually both talked about getting married on the same day as my parents," she said. "It's a day that my husband will remember and I will remember and it's a day that will be important and special."

For Kennady, Valentine's Day also has a little extra meaning.

"My brother was born on that day," he said.

While some students have good memories and positive feelings about the day, many others, like freshman Trey Moore, are neutral about the celebration.

"I think it's a ‘Hallmark Card Day' that has no actual value," he said. "But it's a nice day to spend with someone you care about."

In general, "it's a good day," he said.

Freshman Ray Chhith is another student who neither loves nor hates the holiday.

"Honestly I usually just go through Valentine's Day without knowing it's actually Valentine's Day," he said.

Overall, the students of ASU have emotions for this holiday that range from hate to indifference to love. However, no matter how commercialized it has become, there will always be people that enjoy the holiday for its traditions and meanings rooted in love.

"I love everybody that I choose to surround myself with," Sullivan said. "Every single person that I'm around, that I actually will go and be around, I have love for. Why not just use that day to celebrate that?"