The 14th Of February

 

Hello Classy People, 

We are on the 13th of February 2025, and tomorrow is the 14th of February, which is internationally recognized as Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day, much like Christmas and New Year's Eve, has religious roots in Christianity but has become embraced by various cultures that follow non-Christian traditions due to the underlying themes of love and affection promoted by D DAY.

Commercial institutions benefit from the occasion, catering to consumer interest. Therefore, I disagree with the notion that "it's a commercial distraction," as no business would invest significant time and money in products and campaigns that people do not desire.

In Morocco, the 14th of February is not known as Valentine's Day but as Eid al-Hub, the Eid of Love, which has grown in popularity over the past decade. This day is celebrated in Morocco to the extent that it has influenced some of our traditional snacks. Do you recall my article on the February 14th, 2022?

Love is the most intense and valuable feeling we can experience as human beings. It is the strongest of emotions and the source of every single detail in life. All the decisions we make stem from love or the absence of it, every step we take is connected to this feeling. It is only fitting that we have at least one day each year to celebrate love globally.

The story of Valentine’s Day specifically highlights the love between couples, and so the energy of February 14th is primarily celebrated by lovers. However, today, this date has come to represent love in all its forms, not just romantic relationships. 

EID AL HUB, which I love to celebrate, encompasses love between family, friends, and sometimes even strangers. Don’t we all have moments when we look at a stranger and feel a sense of connection or love? We might say to ourselves, “I have no idea who that person is, but I felt love looking at or being around them.”

We must also remember the love we should have for ourselves, which we often overlook. It is a day to focus on recognizing our love for ourselves and acknowledging the efforts we put into our soul, mind, heart, and body. We can reflect on the love that surrounds us, perhaps by changing our home’s interior decor to elevate the feeling of love.

Let’s appreciate the family members who have been our constant support, those we’ve held hands with and kissed on the forehead out of love. Consider the partner who has initiated major changes and growth purely out of love. Let’s also recognize those colleagues who have shown us kindness at work by sharing their knowledge and expertise. Even the cats that meow at you because you once fed them out of love, or the gentle breeze that carries the fragrances of a home-cooked tajine, a bouquet waiting for its owner, or an exquisite perfume still being crafted in someone’s workshop, all these embody the spirit of love.

The celebration of love should be the most revered of all.

Love is one experience that every single soul encounters, regardless of their journey on this Earth.

Feel it, express it, and show it. Because no matter how cliché it may sound, there are no stronger three words in the English language than “I LOVE YOU,” and the same holds true in all other languages.