I can remember back in high school whenever anyone would ask me about Valentine's Day, I would respond as the liberal I am with, 'Valentine's Day is a commercial holiday created by the greeting cards companies and the American Government as an attempt to mooch money off of the consumer.'

And I even used to have a boyfriend back then.

So what is the big deal about Valentine's Day? It is supposedly to honor St. Valentine. Who even is that? I've been in Catholic education my whole life and I couldn't even tell you who this is or why we celebrate him on Feb. 14 each year. I'm guessing he had something to do with love and today, it just got blown out of proportion.

The thing I don't like about Valentine's Day is that the media makes a big deal about it. Everywhere you look they want you to buy 'your special someone' roses, chocolates or if you really love them you will buy them this diamond ring. It is good to celebrate love, but shouldn't we do this 365 days a year? And why do we have to buy someone something to express it? I'm pretty sure a carnation and a hug could send the same message as a diamond ring.

So if Valentine's Day is so stupid, why do we care about it so much? I know boys 'pretend' not to care, but they can't deny that they think about their current love situation a little harder on Valentine's Day. Girls can't even pretend not to care. Each year I pretend not to care, but I do think about it, as much as I tell myself the government is trying to make me feel bad. It wouldn't be so bad if everyone was single, but when you are doing your homework and your roommate's boyfriend comes to pick her up for dinner with a dozen roses, you kind of just want to die. Everyone gets jealous of what they don't have. How can Valentine's Day be happy when you have nothing to celebrate? And when did Valentine's Day get so complicated?

I can remember back in kindergarten when it was simple. Line up on the magic carpet, put out your shoe box and drop in your Barbie or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles valentines that expressed, 'Cowabunga Dude! Be mine!' However, what they didn't tell you was that they sent a note home to your parents to make sure everyone got a valentine. Everyone goes home happy.

So why should it be any different in college? I can remember going into my friend's room Valentine's Day last year to find her in tears. It was her first Valentine's Day alone since fifth grade. For the first time she wasn't getting a Valentine, a teddy bear or even a Tiffany's bracelet. This is when all my thoughts were confirmed that Valentine's Day is horrible. Sure it great if you have someone but overall I just feel like it is trying to make people feel bad for being single and independent. Its okay to be single, why should the government or greeting card companies try to tell you otherwise?

Even if you don't have a lover, you are loved, that's what should be celebrated. So this Valentine's Day I'm going to wake up, make my roommates paper Valentines ($0), call my Mom and tell her I love her ($0 if I have free minutes), give my friends hugs and tell them how cool they are ($0), and feel loved (priceless).