Cameron McKnight
Valentine’s Day, once an occasion marked to honor St. Valentine, has evolved into a celebration of love in all its different forms.
While the tradition of sending cards and gifts remains, the way people experience and express love has evolved, much like the history of the day itself.
The roots of Valentine’s Day trace back to ancient Roman times, where a festival called Lupercalia was held in mid-February, celebrating fertility and pairing off lovers. In the fifth century, Pope Gelasius I replaced this pagan holiday with St. Valentine’s Day, named after a Christian martyr.
By the 14th century, the holiday was linked to courtly love, and during the Victorian era, it became a day to exchange heartfelt messages of affection, with the first mass-produced Valentine’s cards emerging in the 1800s.
Today, Valentine’s Day is seen as a celebration of both romantic and platonic love, filled with gestures ranging from simple acts of kindness to extravagant gifts. As relationships change, so do the ways we understand and act on love. Modern couples like Madison Whiddon and Stone Darby, who met in 2023, find meaning in love that goes beyond tradition.
Whiddon, a junior history education major from Headland, Alabama, and Darby, a Troy alumnus who obtained a masters in clinical mental health counseling, had their first date at McAllister’s Deli after meeting on Hinge, and they clicked immediately.
“Love means choosing each other every day, even when it’s not easy,” Whiddon said. “It’s about commitment and consistency.”
“For me, love is about making choices to show you care; it’s about the little things that show you’re there for each other, even in tough times,” said Stone, whose work in mental health counseling helps people to better understand their emotions.
Despite their differing academic backgrounds, their connection was immediate. Whiddon loves how passionate Darby is about his work, while Stone admires Madison’s thoughtfulness.
“She’s always thinking of others and knows how to make me feel supported,” Stone said.
Similarly, for Laura Stokley, a senior broadcast major from Montgomery, Alabama, and Ricardo Valencia, a junior multimedia journalism major from Troy, Alabama, love means a deep connection that grows over time.
The couple met when Valencia was serving Stokley at a local restaurant, where Valencia paid for her meal and intentionally became her server every time she came in and made things official after a few dates.
“We agreed early on that no matter what life throws at us; we’ll work through it together,” Stokley said. “We won’t give up just because things get hard.”
Valencia, whose playful sense of humor has won Stokley over, echoed this sentiment.
“Love, for me, is about being there for each other, but also knowing how to make each other laugh,” Valencia said. “Life isn’t always easy, but humor makes everything a little lighter.”
Stokley admires Valencia’s hardworking attitude and his determination to give his all in everything he does.
“He’s always pushing himself to be better, and that inspires me,” Stokley said. Their bond, grounded in mutual respect and affection, is one that has deepened over time, much like the shifting traditions of Valentine’s Day itself.
In today’s world, Valentine’s Day may be represented by flowers, chocolates, and heart-shaped cards, but the essence of love remains a deeply personal experience. As these couples show, love is more than just grand gestures — it’s about choosing one another, showing care in small moments and building a lasting connection.
As the holiday continues to evolve, its meaning has shifted, but its message remains the same: love is about connection, commitment and the willingness to work through life’s ups and downs together.
No matter what the relationship status, Valentine’s Day offers an opportunity for everyone to reflect on love shared and the choices made every day to let it grow.
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