CONTRIBUTED BY JULIA SAND

Warning: I am fired up about this topic. And I had a blast writing it.

Valentine’s Day, or, season, because let’s be honest Valentine’s Day starts on Feb. 1, brings out two kinds of people: haters and lovers. And I am here to say that being a hater of Valentine’s Day is absurd.

Be the person who says, “Oh my gosh, Valentine’s Day stuff is out already!!!” making a disgusted face, and I will be the one to yell in your face that you are wasting a great day because of a poor perspective.

Sure, Valentine’s Day is often geared toward romantic relationships, and sure, it might be a lot of other things, but I will just say this one thing: how can we possibly be disgusted by a day that is made solely to show people that we love them? I dare you to give me a good reason.

I will be the first to point out that I do indeed have a significant other, so go ahead and try and use that against my argument. However, I didn’t always have a boyfriend. In fact, probably 90% of my V-days were spent without one. And guess what? They were also great. Because news flash: loving people isn’t restricted to boyfriend/girlfriends or any nature of that combination. I loved that people were in love, and I loved being able to remind my parents (and siblings and friends) how much they meant to me.

Sure, we should show people we love them every day, but let’s be real: sometimes it’s hard. In a time of our lives when we are caught up in the school/work/social life/etc. grind, sometimes it’s hard to stop and remind people.

Boyfriend, girlfriend, mom, dad, sister, brother, friends, long-lost lover, long-distance friendship, roommates, co-workers…no matter who it is, it’s a day to remind people that even if 364 days out of the year you never flat out say that you care about them, this one day you can be sure to say it.

We strive for a better world. A world where people get along. A world that sees and feels less hate. And the second a day comes along that is designed to get people chocolate and flowers and to say, “I love you!” half of the world tries to avoid it. How does that make sense?

So, say whatever you want (that it’s a made up holiday, that it’s mushy-gushy, etc.). Chances are I will listen and probably understand (or try to) why you might dislike this holiday.

But, when it comes down to it, to love or to hate, I’ll choose love, and I’ll probably try and convince you to do the same. Because I simply don’t understand how we can ever hope for a better world when there is even a small amount of dislike toward one day alone meant for love.

I enoucourage you to change your perspective and to see this day as nothing but a chance to show love to the people around you. A smile at a stranger, if nothing else.