Love is in the air; romance is ruling everyone?s mind and the shops are flooded with chocolates, cute stuffed toys, flowers, mushy greeting cards and other goodies with lovely-dovey messages. Yet, it?s the day of lovers and friends, the day to express your love and affection to someone very special.

Valentine?s Day has been connected to various stories. Legend links the day to a Roman priest, Valentine. It is believed that Emperor Claudius II forbade young men to marry as he felt that unwed men prove to be stronger soldiers. Valentine disobeyed the Emperor?s orders and solemnized the marriage of young couples. He was apprehended and the emperor condemned him to death. St Valentine suffered martyrdom on 14 February 270 A.D, and since then Valentine?s Day is celebrated in his memory.

<B>Do not pull a long face</B>

Valentine?s Day is celebrated in all shades and spheres of love. It is the celebration of love of all kinds. Even if one is not in a relationship, one can celebrate the day with equal zest. And for those friends, who do not have a valentine, do not pull a long face. You can indeed have lots of fun even if you have no one special in your life to whom you can dedicate this day.

Just go out for a party with your single buddies, and eat, drink, dance, make the day merry. No one says that you cannot celebrate Valentine?s Day if you don?t have a date. And you never know, you may go back home with the one you were looking for. So go out to explore.

If you feel bad about the fact that no one is there to shower gifts on you, just gift yourself. Buy some cool stuff for yourself. Decorate your room with flowers, candles and pictures of the most memorable moments in your life.

If you are good at words, write something special to make the day marvelous. Just make yourself very exclusive. Celebrate the day by pampering yourself and make your surrounding pleasant and beautiful.

Valentine?s Day is not about confining love for one day. It?s just about devoting a day solely to all your loved ones. It is like giving everyone a common platform to celebrate the happiness of being with someone, dedicating 24 hours to spread, express and celebrate love and the emotion that has power to overshadow all realms of life.

As Tennyson so beautifully put it, ?In the spring of livelier iris changes on the burnished dove;

In the spring a young man?s fancy lightly turns to thought of love.?

Love is the sole feeling that can make one a better individual, play the doting mum and dad to a brood of brats, shower the environment with peace and thus make a better world.

<B>Zafirah FOONDON