I think men and women will both agree that one of the perks of

Hear the words of Sevyn Streeter, spoken with both humor and truth: “I think men and women will both agree that one of the perks of being single on Valentine’s Day is that you get to keep your money in your pocket.” At first these words may seem light, even playful, yet within them lies an insight into the nature of love, society, and freedom. For so often, modern celebrations of Valentine’s Day are tied not to affection itself, but to the purchase of tokens—flowers, jewels, dinners, gifts—that seek to prove love through wealth. To stand outside of this, as the single person does, is not merely to avoid loneliness, but to be spared the weight of expectation, to rest in the freedom of one’s own keeping.

The ancients too understood that love, when bound to wealth, can become corrupted. The poets of Rome lamented the marriages made for dowries rather than for devotion, and even Socrates warned that when the soul is ignored for the sake of gold, the heart grows poor. In every age, people have confused the expression of love with the spending of riches. Streeter’s words shine like a reminder: when one is single, there is at least this blessing—that no coin need be exchanged to prove worthiness, and no purse must be emptied to satisfy the demands of custom.

Consider the story of Diogenes, the Cynic philosopher. While Athens celebrated festivals of indulgence, Diogenes lived simply, owning almost nothing, yet proclaiming himself freer than kings. When asked how he could endure such poverty, he replied that his wealth was in his independence. In this same spirit, Streeter’s saying suggests that the single person, far from being pitied, may rejoice in a kind of freedom—free from the marketplace of romance, free from the illusion that money is the measure of love.

The origin of this teaching lies in the commercialization of Valentine’s Day. What began, perhaps, as a remembrance of devotion has become for many a ritual of buying. Cards, roses, chocolates—each a symbol of affection, yes, but also a burden for those who feel compelled to give. Streeter unmasks this truth with laughter: when one is single, the heart may lack a partner, but the pocket is spared. In this light, singleness is not only absence but advantage.

This reflection carries a deeper lesson still: true love cannot be purchased. The greatest gestures of devotion need no coin. A kind word, a handwritten letter, an act of sacrifice—these are the true treasures of the heart. The danger of Valentine’s Day, and of all holidays bound to spending, is that it tempts us to forget that love is proven in presence, not in price. Thus Streeter’s words are not a rejection of romance, but a reminder to see beyond the glitter of gifts, to the essence of love itself.

The lesson for us is this: whether single or joined, do not let your heart be enslaved by the marketplace. If you are single, rejoice in your freedom and use it to deepen love for yourself, for your friends, for your community. If you are in love, remember that no purchase can equal the gift of time, of listening, of care. Keep your money in your pocket when it seeks to buy love, and spend instead the coin of sincerity, which never fades.

Practical steps follow. On Valentine’s Day, rather than counting gifts, count blessings. If you are single, take the money you might have spent and use it for yourself—buy a book, take a journey, invest in growth. Or better still, give it to one in need, for generosity is a form of love higher than romance. If you are in a relationship, resist the trap of extravagance; write a poem, cook a meal, walk under the stars. In this way, your love will endure not as a debt of money, but as a joy of spirit.

Thus Sevyn Streeter’s words, spoken with lightness, shine with ancient wisdom: the perk of singleness is freedom, and the wisdom of love is knowing that it is never for sale. Let us therefore walk in this truth: to cherish love when it is given, to honor freedom when it is ours, and to keep always before us that the wealth of the heart is greater than the wealth of the hand.