The Student News Site of Weber State University

The Signpost

The Signpost

The Signpost

The Signpost

Latest YouTube Video

Students observe Singles Awareness Day

Graphic By Aaron Fisher
Graphic by Aaron Fisher

While Valentine’s Day might be the most romantic day of the year for some, others either feel it is insignificant or dread it entirely. Valentine’s Day is known to many as a consumer-driven holiday dedicated to spending time, and often money, on one’s significant other — excluding individuals whose loved ones are too far away or who don’t have anyone to call their valentine this time of year.

Marissa Shepherd, a Weber State University junior, will spend her Valentines Day alone because her boyfriend is in Alaska fulfilling Air Force duties. Shepherd said it’s difficult every day to be so far from him, but this month has been particularly difficult.

“On Valentine’s Day, I see everyone else with their boyfriends, and I think, ‘I have one, but I don’t see him,'” she said.

Even though Shepherd said it is difficult for her to be so far from her boyfriend on the day of romance, she keeps her head up, reminding herself that the holiday itself is not the most important thing.

“It is one day out of 365 days,” Shepherd said. “You should be showing your love every day, not just this day.”

Jessie Haeffele said she agrees and that she will be spending Valentine’s Day alone, because at this point, she doesn’t have a significant other. She said she thinks the day itself is overrated.

“It is just another Thursday,” Haeffele said. “Valentine’s Day should be more about just appreciating others and being nice.”

Haeffele said she feels the true meaning of Valentine’s Day got lost in the midst of candy and flower sales and the outrageous sums of money couples spend on each other every year.

On average, people spend more than $13 billion on Valentine’s Day each year, according to Statisticbrain.com. The most common gifts on Valentine’s Day include candy, jewelry and flowers. The amount of money needed to dedicate to a girlfriend on Valentine’s Day, Donal Strausbaugh said, is one reason he will be spending this day alone.

“My lifestyle doesn’t support anyone but me for the time being,” Strausbaugh said. “Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about spending the day with someone who means something to you, rather than going out and spending obscene amounts of cash.”

For some, being single on Valentine’s Day is just like being single any other time of the year. Some find consolation in the fact that they will not need to worry about choosing the perfect gift or spending a lot of money.

“It’s a little depressing if you worry about it too much,” Strausbaugh said. “It’s not so bad if you don’t put a lot of thought into it.”

According to Statisticbrain.com, 14 percent of women send themselves flowers on Valentine’s Day, and 70 percent of singles said they wouldn’t mind spending Valentine’s Day on a blind date if it came down to it.

Shepherd said that, although she isn’t single, many people find ways to celebrate Singles Awareness Day on Feb. 14, while others prefer to celebrate this occasion on the day before or after Valentine’s Day.

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

Comments written below are solely the opinions of the author and does not reflect The Signpost staff or its affiliates.
All The Signpost Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *