Valentines Day Expectations Vs. Reality

Photo Illustration by Kylee Weber

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. For many, it is a day full of chocolates, flowers, love and laughter. For others, like myself, we tend to see it as just another day. I have been in a relationship for three and a half years now and we have actually celebrated one Valentine's Day together. Many couples want to have a day full of romance, passion and adventures. Others see it as a day to be thankful for what they have and don’t see a reason why we have to make it just one day. 

There are many expectations set by “relationship goals” that we see on social media each year. Around Valentine’s Day, some may begin to expect jewelry or a well thought out date for their significant other. However, I am here to set the record straight for those who are broke, in college and most likely have been in a long term relationship. Valentine's Day is not always like what you see in movies. 

Expectations: 

Valentine’s Day is seen as a wonderful day that you look forward to all year round. It is a day to spoil your significant other and show them how you truly feel about them. You most likely have gone on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or other sites to see all the cute and thoughtful gifts you can give your significant other. You set up a list of possibilities to what you can get your loved one to make their day special. You, on the other hand, also begin to create high expectations for your significant other as well. Most likely, you think that your significant other is buying you a piece of beautiful jewelry and has planned an amazing date to show how much they  care. A high expectation for Valentine's Day is to create this grand day to get flowers, chocolate, teddy bears and jewelry. 

Reality: 

The reality of it is this: Valentine’s Day is just another day to love your significant other. I am not saying that couples do not go out on Valentine's Day and go to dinner and remind them of how much they love one another. Many couples do that on a day-to-day basis but because it is Valentine's Day, they are expected to do so. Many couples don’t find the need to go out on extravagant dates because frankly, they probably have already done it. Many couples don’t get expensive gifts, we want to save our money and get something small and thoughtful. Flowers are an absolutely beautiful gesture; however, they die in a week, anyway. Chocolate is a sweet and tasty gift to give your other, but if they really care, they probably already got you some. The truth is that Valentine's Day is a beautiful day to love your significant other just a little bit extra. Although, it doesn't need to be this extravagant grand gesture unless you and your significant other want to do so. 

I may be in a comfortable relationship with a man I have known for a couple of years, but personally, we don’t need a specific day to tell each other how much we mean to each other. We find adventures together in everyday activities and find the passion and butterflies that we got when we first met.

Whatever your plans are for this Valentine’s Day, just remember that it is not like the movies. Try not to set your expectations too high, and just remember how special it is to have someone to spend it with. Even if you don’t have a valentine, it is okay to cherish the loved one’s around you. Spending a holiday with friends or family is just as special as spending it with a significant other. I mean hey… they don’t call it the day of love for nothing.