So Much More to Love
- Feb 14
- 2 min read
A holiday meant for more than just red hearts and chocolates
Written by Natalie Neumann, Edited by Claire Godschalk
Directed by Eden O'Malley, Filmed and Edited by Yasseen Ashri
Across the country, people rush to convenience stores to pick up the essentials: a box of chocolates, flowers, and a teddy bear. These staple items make up some of the many gifts exchanged on the hallmark holiday. But not everyone celebrates it this way. For many people, Valentine’s Day is spent alone. There are no chocolates, flowers, or nice dinners. Just a box of pizza for one, a glass of wine, and an empty apartment. Even for those with a romantic partner, the day often brings unexpected pressure to please the other or live up to standards set online. Now, this isn’t exactly a petition to remove the date from the calendar, but an opportunity to explore the meaning of Valentine’s Day, and perhaps shift some perspectives on the special day.
When most people think of the holiday, they think about the gifts—the material goods we exchange to express our appreciation for each other—and of course, the couples. That being said, I’d say the holiday is less about your relationship status and the price of the chocolates you receive and more about the love you are celebrating. While Valentine's Day may look like exchanging gifts with a partner over a candlelit dinner, that’s not all it is. It might look like sharing a meal with new friends, cozying up with family after baking cookies, or enjoying a self-care day complete with fuzzy pajamas and a favorite movie. These types of love: platonic, familial, and love for oneself, are worth celebrating.
So I guess what I’m trying to say is that maybe Valentine’s Day isn’t so bad. Maybe underneath all of the superficial gifts, public displays of affection, and cringey Instagram posts are relationships and people worth celebrating. It’s a day to reflect on the people you care about most in your life, and a time to focus on yourself, too. And for those of you who are feeling a bit more lonely than usual, treat yourself—Mimis is open til 10.
Natalie Neumann (Class of 2029) is a politics and journalism in CAS. She joined Violet Vault to showcase the diverse fashion scene both on campus and in the city itself. Apart from her passion for sharing stories, Natalie loves attending concerts, dinners with friends, trying new cafes and restaurants, and spending time with family.
Claire Godschalk (Class of 2028) is majoring in Politics and pursuing minors in Public Policy & Management and Social Entrepreneurship. Inspired by the style and street culture she encountered across European cities during her freshman year at NYU Florence, she developed a strong interest in fashion and sustainability. Claire is particularly interested in the global supply chain and its potential to drive more ethical and innovative fashion practices.
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