Column: V-Day everyday

I did the most cliché thing this Valentine’s Day. I saw the movie Valentine’s Day with my valentine. Don’t laugh. It was actually kind of cute. It made me think about the day known all over for its pink and red hearts.

I’m a sucker for chocolates and flowers. What girl doesn’t like to get a bouquet of roses? There’s something about them that just makes me smile. But why is only one day out of all 365 devoted to giving and receiving these delicious smelling and tasting things.

Valentine’s Day should be celebrated everyday, whether you have a valentine or not. If you love someone, anyone, then why not tell him or her everyday? Don’t just save it for Feb. 14.

This holiday, if it’s even a holiday, was named after some saint back in the ancient Roman times. Some stories say he was put in jail for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on Feb. 14, 296 A.D. A pope declared the date to honor Saint Valentine.

So thanks to a saint who lived back in the olden days, we now celebrate this idea of love just one day out of the year. Unfortunately, we seem to forget about this saint every year. We rely on Hallmark to tell us what Valentine’s Day is about – cards, candy and stuffed animals.

According to census.gov, 180 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged every year, and 50 percent of people are procrastinators and don’t buy a card until six days prior. Good job, people! Hallmark has turned this special day into a multi-million-dollar industry that couples seem to get caught up in.

For Hallmark, candy companies and jewelry stores, it’s about cards, flowers, chocolates and shiny things. It’s about spending lots of money on a special someone. But why not make that person feel special every day of the year?

Tell them you love them on days ending in “y.” Send flowers just for the hell of it. And if you don’t have a “valentine,” I’m sure someone out there loves you. I even love you, and not just because you read my column every week.

I’m not going to lie. I like Valentine’s Day. I’ve liked it ever since elementary school when we used to exchange cards and candy in the classroom. I like the color red and my parents used to give me a present every year. It’s almost as exciting as Halloween, but not quite.

I got sucked into the Valentine’s Day craze. I’ve added to the statistic of 180 million people by purchasing a cute red card for my special someone. Even though I’ve celebrated this holiday for lovers, I still don’t think it should be the only day for confessing your love.

I once had a statistics teacher who said he wrote “I Love You” on his bathroom mirror with lipstick. His wife would then write back. Things like this make me smile. I’m such a glutton for lovey-dovey things.

I know some of you out there absolutely hate Valentine’s Day. You get together with your other hater friends and have singles awareness parties. If it makes you feel better on this holiday of love, then power to you. No one should feel left out on this day. It’s for everyone!

While some of you hate it, there’s some of you who love it. No matter your opinion of this holiday, you should embrace the fact you are loved. So spread the love – not just on Feb. 14, but on every day that follows.

I hope you enjoyed your three-day, love-filled, president-awareness holiday weekend. I know I did.

ERICA BETNUN got some L.A. sun this weekend. Aren’t you jealous? You should be. She can be reached at elbetnun@ucdavis.edu.