On Valentines Day, there are stories of fancy dinners, sickly-sweet tweets of love and a plethora of Instagram posts showing off loving gifts and loved ones.

So is February 14 just about celebrating love and eating sweets? Intentionally going broke for your significant other only once a year to see them smile? Not everyone acknowledges holidays the same way as others, and it should not come as a surprise when someone really gives you their opinion about the “celebration of love and affection”.

Take is from Gustavo Torvisco, senior at Pace who doesn’t make a big deal out of the bright holiday and takes it as another day to practice self-investment or  self-love.

“I don’t really celebrate it like that,” Torvisco said. “I just take it as another regular day or an extra special one for any kind of love for others. Plus, if you love something or someone, you’ll want to do anything for it or them out of your best interest, anyway.”

Chocolates and flowers on Valentine’s Day seem to be wrapped in over-commercialized bows and ribbons. But outside of buying sappy cards ruining your clothes with glitter, the public continuously emphasizes that good old “L-O-V-E” is what they want you to remember, after you buy that bouquet  you could have bought any other day, of course.

“Love can be painful, but if tackled the right way, you can make it beautiful and safe like home,” Pace senior Brittany Pezzola, explained, when asked her thoughts on the feeling outside of Valentine’s day.

This Pace sophomore thinks people should always treat others nicely, regardless of the date.

“I don’t think this holiday should be the reason that you treat yourself or others better for one day. You should always treat people and yourself correctly,” a sophomore who wishes to remain anonymous, heartily explained. When asked what traditions they like to celebrate, they added, “I don’t have any traditions and I usually just spend Valentine’s Day with people I care about. You know, just having a good time.”

Another sophomore describes the holiday as common sense.

“I think you can only feel worthwhile with the right people in your life,” another sophomore who also asked to remain anonymous said. “I guess I like it when people give others gifts and stuff as a tradition, but you also have Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, and literally any other day to do that. It shouldn’t be a tradition; just common sense when it comes to love.”

So whether you’re expecting a vacation to Bora Bora from your partner or planning to treat yourself to some chocolate, sleep and Netflix, just remember that anyone can interpret Valentine’s Day in their own ways. There is no set in stone way to celebrate one holiday over another, so there is no need to stress yourself over one that craves your money just like any other.