Valentine's Day... What does it Mean to You...?

I love humanity. They have a way of putting their problems behind them. Often times, they celebrate anything from sunrise to winter and the first snow fall.
But never in the history of celebrations has there been so much controversy as 'Valentine's Day'. For the so-called progressives, Valentine's day is a day set aside by lovers to celebrate their love in a special way.
However, the conservatives and a larger part of Asian and the middle Eastern bloc see Valentine's day celebration as frivolity. As far as they are concern, there is no need for a day to be called 'lovers' day. It has no religious foundation.
Others like the Jehovah's witnesses see the celebration as a gift from the pagan cumminity.
The world over- especially in the west, Valentine's day(Feb.14) has become a huge commercialised celebration.

The last time I witnessed Valentine's Day celebration in Nigeria some years ago, I was shocked. I was shocked not because Nigerians are celebrating the day. I was shocked because virtually every one - from the very young to the aged were involved.
The amusing or should I say annoying part of the whole thing was that the under-aged who were obviously in a state of mental tension - were trying to behave and do things that adults do.

I have decided to let my journalistic nosiness have a better part of me this morning as I interviewed various students of Glamorgan university on their views about Valentine's Day celebrations.
It was quite an exciting experience for me...

I walk briskly to this lady ( she looks like an Indian; she is wearing the popular sari-with very long pony-tailed hair and thick bifocaled lenses):

Hi, my name is so-obscure...(let me save you the boring details of the hassles I went through):

So-obscure: what do you make of valentine celebration?

Sarita: ... well, i am Hindu, so we do not have such celebrations in our religion; more so, what lovers do... should be their private business don't you think?( very very ambiguous question... was she asking what i think about lovers' private life or was she insinuating that as a human being, she expects me to think... Pls be the judge of that)

I decided to move on to another group. this time I presumed I had the right crowd - noisy yuppies.

Hey, my name is so-obscure... (one of them interjected... what kind of name is that..?)
I said...well, is not my real name... its just a pseudo name. And he said... I see. An undercover name... yes, how can we help you?

So-obscure: I just want to find out what you guys think of Valentine's day, and its celebrations.

Douglas: ..i don't think there is anything to find out... it is a day for lovers; and we are looking forward to it. The only regret is the 14th is a Tuesday... we would have loved it better on a Friday.

Rhys: You know, Valentine's Day is actually a special day for lovers. And in most cases, it is a day when love is share between friends.

So-obscure: Was that the original concept of Valentine's Day...I mean this idea of sharing.

Rhys: No, not at all. I believe the original idea was strictly for lovers to share and celebrate in private... but somehow, the world has come embrace the valentines' concept...

So-obscure: But Valentine's Day is not celebrated world wide- especially in regions like India, Israel,-the middle East...etc.

Rhys: you know hard core religious regions you mentioned now....

So-obscure: Israel is not so religious....

Douglas: ...but you can not say Israel is a christian state, neither are they muslims.

So-obscure: ...majority of they are Jews.... don't forget, we are still talking about Valentine's day celebrations...

Rhys: ...yeah, Valentine's Day to me should be celebrated by those who care...if you want to celebrate it, no qualms, just do your thing.However, if the day is just like any other day, well, fine... you can still do your thing...

So-obscure: But must human being set aside a particular day in the to show or share love...?

Owen who hasn't spoken at all decided to contibute...

Owen: Well, I think human being are always looking for something to celebrate... otherwise, it doesn't make sense. If nlove is showed and celebrated on the 14th, what happens on the 15th... do we then abandon love? I think every day should be made a Valentine's day.

So-obscure:.. that was nicely put. For if every day is made a valentine's day, there would be less quarrels and divorces or separation....

What do you think? Should every day not be made a valentine's day by lovers?
Is it true that valentine's day celebration is a pagan tradition as evinced by the Jehovah;s witness?
What does valentine's day means to you... do you celebrate it just because others are doing so...?