To some, Valentine’s Day is a day of candle-lit dinners, chocolates and romance. To others Valentine’s Day is a commercial holiday that enhances business for candy companies and Kay Jewelers. Historically, Valentine’s Day is a celebratory holiday for the Catholic Church in honor of Saint Valentine.

According to History.com, one legend claims that Valentine was a priest in third century Rome. The Roman emperor of the time was Claudius, who outlawed marriages because he believed that single men were better soldiers than those who were married and had families. Declaring injustice, Valentine defied Claudius II and married young lovers in secret.

When Valentine’s actions were discovered, he was killed.

Another legend involving Valentine claims that while in jail, he fell in love with the jailor’s daughter. Before he was killed Valentine wrote her a letter and signed it with “From your Valentine,” which is a signature that we still use today.

By the Middle Ages, Valentine , who became one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Today, Valentine’s Day can be celebrated in many different ways and takes on different meanings to different people.

Junior Amar Shah enjoys Valentine’s Day.

“I love it because it is a day to show your feelings for someone and it’s romantic,” Shah said.

Being a high school boy, Shah finds that guys typically find it necessary to get a girl a gift on Valentine’s Day.

“I think girls [in a relationship] expect [a gift] and it’s always good to do something for them,” Shah said. “It doesn’t have to be materialistic; you could just go on a walk – something to show affection.”

Although Shah can see how the holiday is very commercial, he said that this aspect makes it better.

“It’s too commercial in a good way because it increases hype for the holiday and I think there can actually be romance behind it,” Shah said.

To others, Valentine’s Day has less of a romantic meaning.

“Sometimes I like it, sometimes I don’t,” junior Saru Pernankil said. “I don’t like how everyone acts a lot like a couple and all that jazz, but I also like it because everyone gives me chocolate.”

Pernankil believes that is has become too much of a Hallmark holiday.

“It’s just for companies to sell their candy and stuff because we are a consumer world,” said Pernankil, “and then students feel pressured if they have a boyfriend or a girlfriend to get them something.”

From religious holiday, to romantic dinner or even to just receiving a bunch of chocolate from friends, Valentine’s Day has been around since third century Rome and continues to change with the modern day and represent different ideas across the globe. .”