Poor Cupid. He gets one chance a year to use his skills, show everyone what he’s made of, and celebrate – and half the world hates him for it.

Okay, so maybe that’s an exaggeration. Maybe Cupid isn’t as reviled as I’m suggesting. But he’s certainly disliked enough to inspire an entire market for “V-Day haters.” A quick search via Google provides dozens of websites centered on hatred for this supposedly romantic day. What gives?

Before I go any further, let me state my bias: I am currently in a relationship, and have been in separate ones for the past few Valentine’s Days. Believe me, though, I’ve had my fair share of bad V-Days too, and I still don’t see the reason for such animosity towards the holiday.

A lot of people argue that it’s a holiday concocted by the greeting card and chocolate companies as a means to sell more of their products, but that’s untrue. The day’s associations with love date all the way back to the Middle Ages.

Sure, corporations emphasize the love aspect of it in order to sell more stuff, but what holiday nowadays doesn’t have corporations climbing all over it? Christmas sure does, and you don’t see many people boycotting that holiday.

Yes, yes, I realize that it’s mostly those who aren’t in relationships who don’t like the holiday, but why? Who’s to say that this holiday is only for lovers, anyways? If you’re bitter about not having a significant other, take this day centered on love as a chance to forget about that and focus on something else that you love – your friends, perhaps, or your favorite movie.

Sure it’s a cheesy holiday, and sure we should celebrate love year-round and not on one specific day; but, again, doesn’t that apply to any holiday? That is to say, just because the Fourth of July is about patriotism, should we not feel patriotic on any other day?

Or just because the Christmas spirit is one of giving and kindness, do you think that emphasizing it in December takes away from the amount of generosity generated in any other month?

No, it doesn’t, and I don’t see the problem with emphasizing love this Tuesday. Regardless of relationship status, everyone can find some happiness in the day.

Couples, use this time to make your significant other really feel appreciated.

Singles, use the day to make your other single friends feel appreciated. Buy each other candy and silly cards – after all, who doesn’t appreciate some chocolate and a hilariously over-the-top, romantic card from Hallmark?

If you’re the only one of your friends who is single, do something nice for yourself. Treat yourself to a non-caf dinner for once, or take a long bath.

Take the time to indulge in something positive as opposed to stewing in negativity and bitterness. The day wasn’t made for that, so lighten up. Eat some candy. Enjoy yourself.

Cupid will appreciate it.