What happens to love on February 15?

by Kishani Samaraweera

February 14! Everyone knows what that day is all about. Yes, that is Valentine's Day. The question isn't so much about whether the day should be celebrated as it is about love and what happens the morning after, or the day after.

Some think Valentine's Day is one of the most over rated days or rather the most over rated day. Thanks to social media, we got to see how couples planned to spend the Day with lovey dovey verses, poems and what not.

Love is beautiful. There's no doubt about that. And it should be celebrated. But the question is what do people see as love?

Some see 'Love' as a candle lit dinner at a fancy restaurant, others as expensive gifts and still others as posts on social media bragging about their relationship. Material things have become so important that 'things' are more often than not used to describe and prove how much one loves another. By now you must have read quite a lot of things written about Valentine's Day. How the day evolved, how people celebrated it, romantic offers at restaurants and hotels for February 14, attractive discounts... .

But what happens on February 15th? What happens till another Valentine's Day rolls along? Do you celebrate love and each other's company like you did on February 14? Or do you just get back to your normal routine? Do you have money to spend the rest of the month after the dinner you had in that fancy restaurant?

Interestingly enough, when asked from the young, what they think of Valentine's Day, many figured it was just another day.

"Some people do not realise that it is all commercialised and everyone is trying to earn money by selling anything which can be sold," said Harshana (24). However there were some who thought there was no harm in celebrating Valentine's Day, though they emphasised that the most important thing was what one feels for one's partner. Said Isuru (25), "It is a special day and everyday might not be like Valentine's Day. But my personal opinion is such days should exist and people should celebrate little things in life." He also felt it was always good to make one's partner happy, but not necessarily in an extravagant way. "A small gesture to show how much you love your partner won't do any harm.

It's in fact essential for a healthy relationship," he added

Director of Operations, Galle Face Hotel, Wendell Rebira mentioned all the tickets for the event organised by them for Valentine's Day had been sold out the day before. The hotel had been completely booked, rooms, restaurants and even areas which were not functioning had been opened just for Valentine's Day to accommodate the large number of guests.

"It is definitely one of the busiest days for us and we try our level best to provide what is best for our guests."

Despite all notions against celebrating Valentine's Day, one should also keep in mind that it is not necessarily a day limited to lovers. It can be celebrated with the people you love and it does not have to be extravagant.

"In my opinion, love is worth celebrating all year round, but that doesn't mean Valentine's Day goes unnoticed. On February 14, my friends and I have a tradition where we spend the morning together and the remainder of the day, I spend with my boyfriend. We keep it simple but special by exchanging small gifts, cards and enjoying each other's company over a hot cup of coffee," said 23 year old Shay.

Love can be quite expensive if you are celebrating it the way people celebrate it nowadays. Whether it is needed or not is something one should decide. Sometimes people who are completely against the idea of celebrating Valentine's Day are against it because they see it as commercialisation of love or because it reminds them of a bitter memory they experienced in past.

However, the truth is we would like it if someone gives us flowers, chocolate, cake or any other gift on any day.

It is selfish to ridicule another person's feelings as to what they think of Valentine's Day because you think otherwise.

It may be over rated, commercialised and stupid. Why hate it when other people want to celebrate it? Love is a feeling everyone feels and longs for. Celebrating it is certainly not a crime and also you could do that anytime without waiting for Valentine's Day.