I was in the kitchen yesterday preparing my dinner when I was eavesdropping on a conversation between a young girl and her friend on the phone. I could easily listen clearly to everything except on the other end. They were both talking about the next day, which is today, and Valentine's Day. They'd planned to bring their phones to take pictures, and the girl was like, "When you're coming to school tomorrow, bring my Valentine's gift oo" I smiled, and that's because it made me flashback to my time then.
I remember how we would carry this day on our heads and made sure we exchanged gifts with our friends in school, though in our little way like sharing biscuits, sweet, writing sweet things on paper and throwing at ourselves. We also would dress in a touch of red and white when we aren't in school.
It was all about love with ourselves, but the worst part was how the day was always a time for the young girls to sleep with their boyfriends, making love and misunderstanding the purpose of Valentine.
During Valentine, we would have calculated nine months to November when we would see the results through unprotected sex from these individuals. Valentine's Day to them is when they would have fun with each other through premarital sex.
I saw a status of my cousin where she shared a snippet of their CDS day yesterday and how they moved around the market distributing condoms to all market sellers for the purpose of Valentine, and I felt so pissed. They were encouraging them to have sex even with someone not their spouse etc. That's the world we are in today. Taking for granted the real purpose of something.
Valentine should be about love. Yes, that's the purpose, but not to be misunderstood. On this day, a lot of young girls would lose their virginity and many lives would be ruined because of it. Some ladies have planned on this day to spend at their boyfriend's house. This isn't all about Valentine.
Loving yourselves shouldn't mean doing things you aren't supposed to do. It means showing deep concern for the next person beside you. It means going all the way to love yourself and put smiles on people's faces. You don't have to do things against the purpose of God all because it's Valentine. But it's so sad. It's the reality of the world we live in.
As for me, I planned to take myself out on a treat before but changed my mind to go to the market instead. I have a list of things to get at the market and prepare something special, one I've not tasted for the last 15 years, and on this day, all I want to do is to make myself happy and enjoy the day.
Valentine should be a time to spread love around you. Although, doing this shouldn't be limited to a day like this. It's an everyday thing, but on this day, you could do something simple like buying a gift for him to her. Take him or her out and have fun. Do what makes you happy, but not in the wrong way. Help that little kid roaming around the street. Give a helping hand to a friend who needs it. Be the friend that loves at all times, including today. Don't stop loving even after Feb 14, 2025 is gone. It should be a continuous process.
Both images are mine
