I have never celebrated Valentine's Day in my life.

"I have never celebrated Valentine's Day in my life." These words, spoken by Radhika Apte, carry with them a profound defiance against the commercialization of love. In a world where Valentine’s Day has become synonymous with flowers, chocolates, and gifts, Apte's refusal to partake in the holiday speaks to a deeper question about the true nature of love and how we should express it. In her statement, there is a subtle reminder that authentic love is not something that can be reduced to a single day or marketed to fit society’s expectations. Love is something that must be lived and celebrated every day, in the small acts of kindness and in the deep connections we forge with others.

In ancient times, the celebration of love was not confined to a single day or dictated by external expectations. Ancient Greeks understood that love was a multifaceted force. The Greeks spoke of eros (romantic love), philia (brotherly love), and agape (selfless, unconditional love). These were not seasonal emotions or rituals—they were eternal and ever-present, woven into the fabric of everyday life. To the Greeks, love was a constant, something that guided actions and defined relationships, not something that could be bought or scheduled into a calendar. In rejecting a holiday like Valentine’s Day, Radhika Apte might be echoing this ancient wisdom: that love is not a commercial commodity, but a lifetime commitment expressed through deep, meaningful actions and not grand gestures meant for public display.

Consider the story of Socrates, one of the greatest philosophers of ancient Greece. He did not celebrate holidays in the way others did. Instead, his focus was always on the cultivation of the mind and the spirit. For Socrates, love was a pursuit of wisdom, a love for truth, and a love for human connection that transcended the fleeting gestures of a single day. In his dialogues, he often emphasized that genuine love is not about fleeting emotions or external symbols, but about mutual respect, understanding, and a deep commitment to personal growth. Socrates' rejection of traditional celebrations in favor of a more philosophical approach to relationships reflects a truth that Apte seems to embrace: that true love is not confined to a moment but is a continuous, evolving journey.

In more recent history, we find that love was also expressed outside the bounds of specific days. The great poet Rumi, whose work transcends time and borders, taught that love is a sacred bond that connects all beings. For Rumi, love was not something to be celebrated on a special occasion, but something to be lived every day, through the act of being present with others, of seeing the divine in every soul. In his poetry, love is a constant force that drives people toward unity, towards understanding, and towards the divine. Radhika Apte's rejection of a single-day celebration echoes this deeper, more spiritual understanding of love—that it cannot be confined to a mere symbolic act, but should be a daily practice of presence, care, and respect.

Perhaps Apte’s statement is a challenge to the modern world, a world in which we are often told that love must be expressed in material ways, on marketed holidays, with gifts and public gestures. In rejecting Valentine’s Day, she urges us to rethink the way we approach love. She asks us to consider whether love can truly be measured by the number of roses we send or the dinners we share, or whether love is better expressed through consistent actions, through sacrifices, and through vulnerability. In a world obsessed with instant gratification and surface-level connections, Apte's words challenge us to seek deeper, more meaningful expressions of love that cannot be defined by a calendar or commercial advertisements.

The lesson here is clear: love cannot be confined to a single day. It is not something that can be boxed up, wrapped in a red bow, and presented once a year. True love is expressed through our daily actions—through our commitment to our partners, our families, our friends, and our communities. It is shown in our ability to listen deeply, to support each other through hardships, and to consistently show up for those we care about. Radhika Apte’s statement is a call to action for all of us to reject the superficial trappings of love and instead to embrace a love that is authentic, constant, and unfailing.

In your own life, think of love not as a commodity to be purchased, but as a gift to be given daily. Whether it’s through the simple act of listening to a friend, the quiet support you offer to a partner, or the compassion you show to a stranger, love is something that must be practiced consistently, not confined to a day of the year. Reject the pressure to perform love in grand, commercially-driven ways, and instead focus on the small, meaningful actions that demonstrate your care. In this way, love will become not just a fleeting emotion, but a living, breathing force that nurtures and strengthens every relationship in your life.