Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day. 14th Feb - a date that we all will remember, whether young or old, single, in a relationship, married, or divorced.

It can be celebrated by anyone, regardless of race, religion, social class, nationality. It's a universal event, one that is even more universal than Christmas, or ethnic new years.

And for many of us, it is of significance, even though it's not a public holiday and there's not religious or cultural background to it. One of my youths was upset that she had a test on v-day and after v-day. A colleague said that she actually prepared a gift for her daughter for v-day and that she would do this every year. Another colleague will be organizing a singles lunch. Yet another colleague announced that he was going to see many clients on v-day.

When I was a teenager, I remember thinking that I needed to celebrate v-day. I would hang out with friends. And as I grew older, I even thought I needed to have companionship on v-day or I'd feel, like what young people would say nowadays.. "forever alone".

Love, is universal. The desire for intimate relationships with one another is a human need. I don't think anyone would deny this, and even if they did, I am certain there are underlying issues that lead to this denial. This strong desire for relationships points to how we are created in the image of our Creator, who is relational within the 3 persons in the trinity(the love relationships amongst the Father, Son and Holy Spirit). It is not surprising then that we want to be loved and we want to love.

Even though v-day is so commercialised, sometimes superficial, and I wouldn't really make such a big deal of v-day now because it's not the only day to show love, I think it says something about how the significance of this day, a day of celebration of love (whichever definition of love it may be) is a reflection of how much we long for love and relationships.

Personally, I am also looking forward to v-day to spend with some of my sisters in Christ. But this year, it's not because I am "forever alone", but because they are friends whom I value. It's a good opportunity to hang out with people who are significant on a day that celebrates love.