A student-operated publication at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Oak Leaf

A student-operated publication at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Oak Leaf

A student-operated publication at Santa Rosa Junior College.

The Oak Leaf

Make Valentine’s Day count with a memory

What do you think of when you think of Valentine’s Day? My first thought of Valentine’s Day is about the ones I love and the experiences I have shared with them. I think most people think of that special someone or want to find someone special in time for Valentine’s Day. If you have a special someone on Valentine’s Day, you want to show him or her that you love them, right? You want to find that perfect gift that reflects every piece of your heart.

I have never been in love with someone romantically, but I love and treasure times with my family and friends. I try to show my family and friends random acts of kindness, just to show I care. It’s the little things that can make a big difference in someone’s life. I believe that people should express their feelings; to live a life not expressing love is a half-life. Valentine’s Day is meant to represent love in all its forms. Love is Love. But in today’s society, Valentine’s Day has become excessively materialistic.

Many are on the search for the “perfect” gift for their someone. Some stress over what to buy their boyfriend or girlfriend, or girlfriends secretly look for the tag on an item to see how much that “diamond” necklace cost. Girls, don’t roll your eyes; we’ve all done it. Guys hope they buy the right gift as they browse around the jewelry counter and hope she’ll like it as he pushes that box across the table.

When I was a freshman in high school, a boyfriend gave me a silver charm bracelet with purple and pink heart charms for Valentine’s Day. Every time I touched the bracelet resting on my wrist I thought of him. That summer, I went to cheerleading camp and took off my bracelet that I had worn religiously and set it on the table next to my bed because jewelry was not allowed at the camp. I never saw it again. Even though he and I went our separate ways, the memories that I had outshone all of the charm bracelets in the world.

Boxes of chocolates get eaten. Jewelry gets tarnished, forgotten or lost. Over-sized bears holding fuzzy hearts get pushed to the back of the closet. Material things have no life in them; they are simply things. But, treasured times can live on in your memories for years and years. This Valentine’s Day, make it count. Build a day that you will cherish always.

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