By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Valentine’s Day is not just a day for lovers, it is a day that can ripple out like a wave of kindness, touching the lives of everyone around us. While hearts flutter and roses bloom, it is easy to forget that love, in its purest form, is not confined to romantic gestures. It is far more expansive, encompassing every person we meet, especially those in need of our compassion.
The origins of Valentine’s Day date back to ancient Rome, with Saint Valentine at its heart. A priest who defied the emperor’s orders to marry couples in secret, Valentine symbolized love that knew no boundaries. Over the centuries, his story has been woven into a holiday where lovers celebrate their bond. But beneath the flowers and chocolates lies a deeper message: love is universal and unending.
For many, Valentine’s Day is seen as a personal celebration, an exclusive affair between lovers, a day of gifts, dinners, and declarations of affection. It is a day when we expect to receive all the attention and affection we desire from our partners. However, when we view love through this narrow lens, it becomes transactional. We expect to give love only in exchange for the same amount of love back. But love is not a bargain; it is a gift.
A Call for Love Beyond the Roses. Valentine’s Day is not just for couples; it is for humanity. In a world often marked by division, this day can remind us that love should extend far beyond the confines of romantic relationships. It should be a reminder to show kindness to the beggar on the street, to lift the spirits of the lonely, to reach out to the sick in hospitals, and to console the grieving. Love is not just for those who love us back, it is for everyone.
Let us take a moment to hear what different people have to say about this day:
Interview with Ifeanyi from Awka aged 30. “For me, Valentine’s Day has always been about spending time with my girlfriend, maybe giving her a special gift. But, you know, I’ve realized that it could be a day for more. I want to take some time out this year to visit a motherless baby’s home or donate something to those in need.”
Interview with Aunty Ngozi from Calabar, aged 60. “Love is what keeps families together. But I think on Valentine’s Day, I’ll spend my time visiting a nearby hospital. I have a friend who is sick, and it would make her happy to know someone is thinking of her.”
Interview with Titi from Ibadan, aged 20. “I’ve always thought of Valentine’s Day as a day for lovers to share romantic moments. But now I think it’s also about spreading love everywhere, even to those who might not have anyone to share it with.”
Valentine’s Day should be a celebration of love’s transformative power, not just for lovers but for anyone who needs it. It is easy to buy a card for your partner, but the true essence of love lies in offering a kind gesture to the forgotten, the abandoned, and the hurting.
Imagine taking a meal to a street vendor or giving a blanket to someone struggling on the streets. Love is often the simplest action: A smile, a hug, a donation, or a heartfelt prayer. It is in those moments that love becomes not just something we feel but something we give.
This day is also a call to visit our hospitals, where many patients are isolated from their families. A brief visit, a gift, or even a word of encouragement could make a world of difference. We can also extend our love to those locked away in prison, some of whom may have been wrongly convicted. As the saying goes, “We rise by lifting others.”
For the young ones, Valentine’s Day can often be a confusing day filled with pressure. Young girls might be tempted to think that love means giving away their purity for the sake of affection, while young men might turn to excess to “celebrate.” But real love does not demand such things. It nurtures, uplifts, and respects boundaries.
As author C.S. Lewis once said, “To love at all is to be vulnerable.” But this vulnerability is not about losing ourselves, it is about gaining a deeper understanding of who we are and how we can care for others.
For those of us in the Christian faith, Valentine’s Day also serves as a reminder of God’s love for us. As the Bible reminds us in 1 John 4:8, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” True love is not selfish or fleeting; it is everlasting and unconditional. On this day, let us reflect on how we can mirror God’s love by reaching out to the lonely, the needy, and the hurting.
So, this Valentine’s Day, let us ask ourselves: How can we use our love to better the world around us? It is not just about what we do for our partners, but what we can do for the community at large, knowing that a better society begins with us. Love should build bridges, heal wounds, and offer hope. Abe
This day is an opportunity for self-reflection and action. Are we loving our neighbors, our parents, our pastors, our mentors, the sick, the poor, the neglected? Do we show love in tangible ways, not just on Valentine’s Day but every day?
This Valentine’s Day, let love stretch beyond hearts and flowers. Let it stretch beyond the ones who love us back. Let it be a day to serve, to care, to comfort, and to uplift. Whether we are young or old, our capacity to love knows no bounds. And as we do so, let us remember that true love is not something to possess, it is something to give.
