Folks often squabble over Valentine’s Day.

Some believe it’s propaganda to line the pockets of florists, chocolatiers and card manufacturers. Some disappoint their partners when they don’t align with Valentine’s Day romance. Those who live alone or have lost a loved one can tumble into depression and loneliness.

So, is Valentine’s senseless, unnecessary and frivolous? Maybe not, if we look at February 14 through rose-tinted, corrected lenses.

Humans can survive catastrophes, diseases, persecution and other vile earthly rocks thrown at us, but we do not do well without love. We thrive on tenderness and touch, on finding someone to share our space, see our smiles and comfort us. Without love, we truly are just sounding cymbals and empty souls.

Valentine’s Day is typically considered a stamp on romance, but does it have to be? Thousands of folks live alone, but they love. We use love every day like sugar on the table, and it is there to make our lives sweeter.

Who doesn’t love love?

St. Valentine was a Roman cleric who was martyred on February 14, approximately 269 AD, for ministering to persecuted Christians. God used him to serve others with deep concern without fear of death. What love he unselfishly gave.

God sent his Son to us out of love, and his command was to love one another. We fail miserably when we don’t.

Folks say it is easier to hate than to love. It’s because love requires heart and hate requires nothing. Love produces kindness and compassion. Hate delivers anger and contempt and is dangerously contagious.

My mother lived for 90 years, and by the time she left this earth, she had given away nearly everything except a small box containing items that meant the most to her, including a letter my father sent her before I was born.

They were married for 60 years, and in the early days, they must have struggled. Dad wrote to apologize and express his deep love for her and their baby son. The box also held homemade valentines I created as a child, pictures of her children and grandchildren and a few other significant cards and notes.

Her last possession was a little box that held nothing but love.

Of all the holidays, we need to rethink Valentine’s. We could all use what it represents. Hate dominates the news, but love must take a stand and be noticed. And it all begins with each of us.

God requires us to show how much we care about the neighbor next door or the stranger in the store. A flower, card or candy bar reminds a partner, friend or family member how special they are.

When I began dating my husband, he thought the holiday was trite and unnecessary.

“Valentine’s is not about your personal belief; it’s about others’ feelings,” I said. Today, he remembers a card or rose. Smart guy.

Even when our hearts are broken, God’s promised love embraces us and emboldens us to move forward.

Years ago, a boyfriend broke up with me. That ending was brutal. Inexplicably, I began dancing late at night, listening to old music.

I asked a psychologist friend, “Why would I stay up late, dancing my heart out?”

He responded, “Because you love to dance so much. It is helping to replace the love you lost.”

Love of friends, family, partners, puppies or dance reminds us to appreciate the joy and saving grace it brings.

Make Valentine’s Day important because to someone else, it is.