The Date-Driven Celebration vs. Everyday Love
Are you the person who always has fixed dates in mind to celebrate events, or are you the one who remains the same throughout the year—like spoiled milk—and suddenly one day, you become cheese? That is, you get energy, create an event for yourself, and enjoy it.
Most people go through the calendar, with fixed dates for celebrations like birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and many more—blah, blah, blah.
The Red Wave of Emotions
So in the calendar, there’s a day among all the days—Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14th each year, draped and wrapped in red ribbons. Everything turns red: a wave of emotions, expectations, and traditions with grand gestures like exchanging Valentine’s Day cards, flowers, chocolates, and even getting dressed in special Valentine’s Day outfits with matching nails, colors, and designs that match the spirit.
Everywhere is filled with the color red, and even the red in my blood seems troubled, wondering why everything has risen against it. It asks, “Why are people celebrating this day? What is so special about today?”
Trust me, if I conducted a survey asking people around us what Valentine’s Day really means, most would struggle to provide an exact answer. Let me offer some history among the many theories:
The History Behind Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day comes from the story of Saint Valentine, a kind man who lived in Rome a long time ago. Emperor Claudius, the ruler at that time, banned soldiers from marriage because he believed single men fought better. But Saint Valentine secretly married couples.. When the emperor found out, he put Valentine in jail.
While in prison, Valentine healed the jailer’s blind daughter and sent her a letter signed ‘From your Valentine’ before soldiers executed him on February 14th. Over time, people began celebrating this day as a symbol of love and affection. Today, it is celebrated with gifts, flowers, and cards around the world.
A Dressed-Up Girl Steps Out Unaware of the Date
A few years ago, I, filled with ambition and dreams of becoming a doctor, was getting ready to submit my documents to a well-reputed institution—Aga Khan Medical College—based on my 11th-grade results. However, there was one tiny problem: I had absolutely no idea what the date was!
We planned to meet at the college first and then head over to Aga Khan Medical College together. I decided to dress accordingly since I was visiting such a prestigious place. I carefully picked out a cotton dress in a soft peach-orange shade—modest yet stylish. But here’s where fate played its little trick!
Back then, a Bollywood song, “Mere Naseeb Mein Tu Hai Ki Nahi,” was quite popular. The model in the song wore a red blouse with heart designs. Inspired by that, my sister designed a similar look for herself, sewing a heart-shaped patch on her dress, and I borrowed it. At the time, it seemed like a cute, trendy choice. But little did I know, I was about to step into a whole new world of embarrassment.
The Unforgettable Valentine’s Day Incident
As soon as I entered the college, I froze. Every girl was wearing red nail polish, some were carrying red balloons, others were exchanging gifts, and the college gift shop looked like a battlefield—flooded with girls buying presents. It didn’t take long for me to realize… Oh Khudaya Paka (Oh God!), Da saa di! (What the hell is going on?!)
A Day Among Days: Valentine
Yup. It was February 14th—Valentine’s Day—but for me, it was just another day among many. To make matters worse, the principal noticed that most of the girls were out of uniform. Furious, she ordered the gatekeeper to lock the gates—no one was allowed to leave! Panic set in. My dress, with its accidental Valentine’s vibes, had me trapped in a college filled with love-struck students. What would the principal think? Would the principal mistake me for one of the ‘rebels’ celebrating the forbidden day?
We realized there was no escape, so my friends and I approached the principal directly. While heading to the office, one friend looked at me with raised eyebrows and said, “Apna ye Dil to chupa lo” (Cover your heart patch). I covered myself with my dupatta as if I was going to offer 100 Nawafils in the madam’s office. We explained in our most innocent voices, “Madam, we came to submit our documents. We had no idea today was Valentine’s Day.”
And that, my friends, is how some people—like me—manage to exist in a world where dates, trends, and celebrations simply fly over their heads. Who knew a simple dress choice could lead to such an unforgettable submission day? 😅
“By the way, I’ll tell you one thing—neither did we celebrate Valentine’s Day that day, nor did we get admission to Aga Khan.”
Valentine’s Day for the Young vs. Married Life
Valentine’s Day works like a WiFi signal—teenagers and the unmarried get full bars, while married couples struggle with a weak connection! You’ll see young lovebirds planning surprises weeks in advance, writing long, emotional captions, and exchanging gifts as if it’s the last day on Earth.
“Meanwhile, married folks say, ‘Oh, it’s Valentine’s? Should we order pizza?’ They trade romance for talks about electricity bills and grocery lists. The excitement of ‘What will my Valentine gift me?’ turns into ‘What will my spouse cook today?’ Valentine’s Day belongs to the young and free, while the married squad watches from the sidelines, sipping tea!”
The Real Meaning of Love
Personally, I don’t like the idea of a fixed date for expressing love, especially when it comes to Valentine’s Day. Why should love be limited to just one day when it is meant to be a lifelong emotion? In our culture and religion love is shown through care, respect, and small everyday gestures rather than grand displays on a specific date. As the saying goes, “Mohabbat chhupai nahi chhupti aur dikhai nahi jati” (Love cannot be hidden, nor can it be deliberately displayed).
Yet, society pushes the idea that love must be celebrated in a Westernized way, with flowers and chocolates, as if one grand gesture on a single day can define it. But real love isn’t about trends or dates—it’s about consistency, sincerity, and the moments that don’t need a calendar to be special.
As another saying goes, “Mohabbat izhar chahti hai, Riwaj nahi” (Love needs expression, not rituals).
Everyday Romance Ideas
Love does not need red balloons or heart-shaped patches. Sometimes the little things are more powerful. Here are a few everyday romance ideas anyone can try:
- Write a short note and slip it into your partner’s lunch box.
- Surprise them with a favorite snack on a normal weekday.
- Sit down for chai together without phones or distractions.
- Plan romantic date ideas at home like cooking together, watching a favorite movie, or stargazing on the roof.
These are small gestures, but they make ordinary days special.
Unique Gift Ideas for Any Occasion
People often link gifts with Valentine’s Day, but presents can work anytime. Some unique gift ideas include:
- Personalized mugs or cushions with inside jokes.
- A scrapbook of memories with ticket stubs, letters, or photos.
- DIY surprise ideas for partner like handmade cards or a jar of “reasons I love you.”
- Affordable gifts under a set budget that still feel thoughtful.
Small Gestures of Love That Last
We often underestimate how much impact simple actions have. Some small gestures of love that matter more than big celebrations include:
- Listening with full attention.
- Saying thank you, even for daily routines.
- Remembering tiny details like how they take their tea.
- Offering encouragement on a hard day.
These gestures don’t cost money, but they create emotional wealth in a relationship.
Final Thoughts
Valentine’s Day may come and go with its colors, gifts, and trends, but real love is not limited to a single date. In Islam, love carries a deeper meaning—rooted in mercy, respect, and care. The Qur’an reminds us that Allah places “love and mercy between your hearts” (Surah Ar-Rum 30:21). This love isn’t about grand displays once a year, but about daily kindness, patience, and sincerity.
So whether it’s sharing a smile, making dua for your loved ones, or offering help in small ways, every act of care becomes an expression of love that pleases Allah. True affection doesn’t need red balloons or roses—it shines in consistency, honesty, and faith.
At the end of the day, Valentine’s is just another date on the calendar. But love, when nurtured every day, becomes timeless.
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