Have you noticed how when January comes to an end more couples emerge? What is the meaning of this apprehension in our society? Are we so busy with ourselves the rest of the year that only when the stores start selling their Valentine's merchandise we realize we are alone?

It's at this time that we start wondering if there's something really wrong with us. We think there must be. What other good reason can there be for our loneliness in this red festivity? It's sad, really, how we start to look for a Valentine, again...

Then again, why can’t we be alone? Even the toughest person, according to what I can observe, gets the inkling this time of year. Even if they spend Valentine’s Day alone, they wish they didn’t. But, why?

Over and over, we hear how kids nowadays have to face and stand against peer pressure. Still, isn’t this whole situation peer pressure? No one can get away from it. It’s like a disease. Every store, restaurant, school, TV commercial, everything has something to remind us that this red festivity is just around the corner.

I must admit that through Junior High and High School I was adversely infected. Although, I spent most of my Valentine’s Days alone (in terms of being love-challenged), I dreamt and wished to be with a boy. Some years I wished for one specific boy, others just about any boy. This is very bad, very bad indeed.

In our desperation to be with someone we resign ourselves to be with anyone. That’s why around this date you see many couples that don’t quite fit together. They are rather odd and very sad.

If you are very lucky, in your annual search for love, you may find someone who is actually compatible with you, and whom you actually like and can fall in love with. But what happens if you are not in the lucky side?

In the second case, around January 28 or 29 you find someone. You spend together some time. Go out, talk on the phone. You get to know each other a bit. February 14 comes along; you spend a very happy day. The exchange of gifts, chocolate, flowers, cupids, and all of that crap is going on. Then around February 19 or 20 you split up. Why not sooner, say February 14? You are either still rolling with the hype of the red festivity or are afraid that people will know that you were with that person because of your fear to spend the day alone.

Last year, was my first year with someone special. And it actually was the first time I said those three words: “I love you.” It was very special, really, and pathetic. And now, I’m spending my second Valentine with him and I’m really excited. Yet, I wonder, what if we break up? Will I fall back to the cycle? Will I go through the annual search for love?

How I hope not! Yet, something tells me that the fact that I got accustomed to being with somebody, spending it alone will be very frightening at first. Of course, I know that if it happens (hopefully there’ll be no breakup at all), I’ll get over the cycle and onto the next step.

‘What is this next step?’, you might ask. Well, after anyone gets over the part of wanting to be with someone, to love them for a day, you realize that Valentine’s Day can be also interpreted as a friendship festivity. This way you’ll enjoy the day in the company of good friends. I had actually gone through this next step in my senior year of High School. Although, there was still this faint wanting for someone special, I deeply enjoyed it surrounded by true friends.

But, what is Valentine’s Day, and what is all this fuss about? Well, this day comes from a Roman celebration of eroticism (whatever happened to friendship?) called Lupercalia. Of course, Christianity comes along and wants to substitute these pagan rituals. The Church is unable to substitute it, so they adapted it.

They first had to choose who would be the honored Saint. They chose St. Valentinus since he had been martyred on February 14. This meant that they could preempt the annual February 15 celebration of Lupercalia. Now comes the next obstacle: how can you adapt an erotic ritual to a chaste man.

First step, turning this erotic feast into a romantic ritual. Easy enough. What next? It is speculated that the Church embellished St. Valentinus’ story. According to one of the legends of this martyr, Valentinus ignored a decree from Emperor Claudius II that forbade all marriages and betrothals. Caught in the act, Valentinus was imprisoned and sentenced to death for secretly conducting several wedding ceremonies.

While imprisoned, the future Saint cured a girl (the jailer's daughter) of her blindness. The poor girl fell madly in love with Valentinus, but could not save him. On the eve of his execution, Valentinus managed to slip a parting message to the girl. The note, of course, was signed "From your Valentine."

And how did the Church fit this into its agenda? They had a sort of celebration exchanging ‘Valentines’ in the mass on this time of year. So, this erotic and obviously sinful ritual was now saved thanks to the Church.

So, what’s my point with this essay? Well, I’m just ranting. The fact that the couples emerge this time of year really pisses me off. Besides, I’m bored and I’m procrastinating.