| Love is in air, romance is ruling everyone's mind | | | | someone whom she holds too close to her heart, |
| and the markets are flooded with chocolates, | | | | although she feels that Valentine's Day gives one |
| cute stuffed toys, mushy greetings cards and | | | | another excuse to party or have a nice dinner |
| other goodies with lovey-dovey messages. Yes, | | | | with family and friends. You take time out from |
| it's the day of lovers and friends, the day to | | | | your hectic work schedule to spend some |
| express your love and affection to someone | | | | valuable moments with your loved ones. But that |
| very special and to celebrate and spend time with | | | | is where her definition of Valentine's Day ends. |
| someone who means the world to you - your | | | | Aryan has a similar opinion. According to him, love |
| beloved, your valentine! | | | | cannot be planned. It can happen any time, on |
| Valentine's Day is here along with the season for | | | | any day, at any moment. |
| cards, roses and chocolates. But sad is the fact | | | | He does not think that it would become more |
| that not many of us know its true importance | | | | special or everlasting if you express it on |
| and the reasons for the widespread celebration of | | | | Valentine's Day. You might take the day as an |
| this day. Today, it is just another excuse to | | | | opportunity to reassure someone of your love |
| celebrate, to exchange gifts and for the card and | | | | for him or her. It is just like any other day when |
| chocolate companies to make some quick money. | | | | you tell your sweetie how much he or she means |
| Youngsters view the day as the reason to go out | | | | to you. |
| on some extra-special dates, to propose to their | | | | For Jim and Stephanie, Valentine's Day has double |
| crushes and to make some new girlfriends or | | | | importance. It is the day when the two of them |
| boyfriends. But the very beauty and importance | | | | got married 15 years ago. At that time, they |
| of the day has been lost in this commercialisation. | | | | were not even aware of such a day, so it is not |
| Valentine's Day has been connected to various | | | | very special one for the two of them. |
| stories. Legend links the day to a Roman priest, | | | | There are some who believe in spreading love |
| Valentine. It is believed that Emperor Claudius II | | | | every day while, for others, Valentine's Day is as |
| forbade young men to marry as he felt that | | | | special and important as the other festivals we all |
| unwed men made stronger soldiers. Valentine | | | | celebrate. Some find stuffed toys that say, "I |
| disobeyed the emperor's orders and solemnised | | | | Love You" or "You are special" really cute while, |
| the marriage of the young couples. He was | | | | for others, they are the most stupid things to gift |
| apprehended and the emperor condemned him to | | | | someone. The perception of Valentine's Day is |
| death. St Valentine suffered martyrdom on 14 | | | | different for every individual. Valentine's Day is a |
| February 270 AD and, ever since, Valentine's Day | | | | day solely devoted to love, warmth, affection and |
| has been celebrated on 14 February. | | | | togetherness. It is the day to raise a special toast |
| Today, the meaning of the day might be confined | | | | to a relationship that means the world to you. |
| to expressing love to your boyfriends or | | | | But, in recent times, it has just become another |
| girlfriends but the day is made for you to express | | | | way for people to make money. It is kind of |
| your feeling and warmth to all those for whom | | | | hurting to see the day and a beautiful emotion |
| you care, anyone can be your valentine - a friend, | | | | being measured and judged in terms of material |
| a soul mate, your parents, your siblings or just | | | | presents. Probably this is the order of the day, as |
| about anyone who occupies an important place in | | | | we see that even other festivals have become all |
| your life. It is the day for sweethearts - be it | | | | about exchanging expensive gifts. |
| your lover, fiancee, wife, husband, brother, sister | | | | True love does not need a bouquet of a hundred |
| or anyone with whom you share a special bond. | | | | roses or a sparkling diamond. It is more about the |
| Different people feel differently about the hype | | | | depth of your love for someone. |
| that surrounds Valentine's Day. Some wonder | | | | And for those friends, who do not have a |
| why the expression of a special emotion should | | | | valentine, don't pull a long face. You can indeed |
| be confined to one single day. Love is like magic | | | | have loads of fun even if there is no one special |
| and the day it comes into your life, that day | | | | in your life to whom you can dedicate this day. |
| becomes even more special than Valentine's Day. | | | | CELEBRATION TIME |
| There is not something that you can plan. | | | | Just go out for a party with all your single buddies |
| On the contrary, for a few, it is about keeping | | | | and eat, drink, dance and make merry. No one |
| one day apart for the whole of society to come | | | | says that you can't celebrate Valentine's Day if |
| together to make their loved ones feel special | | | | you don't have a date. And you never know, you |
| and worthy. Valentine's Day celebrates all shades | | | | may arrive back home with the one you were |
| and spheres of love. It is the celebration of love | | | | looking for. |
| of all kinds. Even if you are not in a relationship, | | | | So go out and explore. Plan a get-together of all |
| you can celebrate the day with equal zest. | | | | your old buddies. Spend the day watching a movie |
| No matter what your age is or to what part of | | | | and just hanging out with friends. And if you are |
| the world you belong to, if you value love, | | | | feeling bad about the fact no one is there to |
| togetherness and heart-felt emotions, it is the day | | | | shower gifts on you, just gift yourself. Buy some |
| for you to celebrate. Besides the gifts, cards and | | | | cool stuff for yourself. |
| lovely red roses, it is the day to lock some | | | | Decorate your room with flowers, candles and |
| wonderful memories forever into your heart. It is | | | | pictures of the most memorable moments of |
| about celebrating a special bond and to appreciate | | | | your life. And if you are good with words, just go |
| someone in a very unique and exclusive manner. | | | | ahead and write something special to make the |
| And just remember, feelings are beyond the | | | | occasion special. |
| fragrance of the flowers and the mesmerising | | | | Just make yourself feel exclusive. Celebrate the |
| words on a card. Someone's wallet does not | | | | day by pampering yourself and making your |
| measure the love he or she has for you. | | | | surroundings pleasant and beautiful. |
| Everyone has a different perception of the | | | | Valentine's Day is not about confining love to one |
| importance of Valentine's Day. If you truly love a | | | | day or measuring the depth of someone's love |
| person then the whole year is as special as | | | | and affection in material terms. It is just about |
| Valentine's Day, say some people. But there are | | | | devoting a day solely to all your loved ones. |
| others who wait the whole year to say those | | | | It is like giving everyone a common platform to |
| three golden words to someone, "I love you." | | | | celebrate the happiness of being with someone, |
| NO PLANNING FOR LOVE | | | | dedicating 24 hours to spread, express and |
| For Laura, every moment that she spends with | | | | celebrate love and the emotion that has the |
| her loved one is special. She does not need a | | | | power to overshadow all realms of life. |
| special day to express her love and gratitude to | | | | |