Roses are red, violets are blue; I celebrate Valentine’s Day and so do you! However, love and friendship don’t always come wrapped up in a heart-shaped box filled with chocolate. Depending on where you’re from, Valentine’s Day can look completely different. That’s what makes it so fun!
As an international school, Grier is surrounded by students from all over the world, each of them bringing a unique perspective and story to campus. So, when Valentine’s Day rolls around, it’s the perfect time to ask: What does love and friendship mean for different cultures? Spoiler alert, it’s much bigger than just Hallmark cards and teddy bears.
Back home in Colombia, Valentine’s Day—as Americans know it—doesn’t really exist. Instead, we celebrate Día del Amor y la Amistad (A Day of Love and Friendship) in September. It’s a day where everyone is included, not just couples. One of the highlights is Amigo Secreto (Secret Friend), which works similarly to Secret Santa. You draw someone’s name, surprise them with small thoughtful gifts each day for a week, and then reveal your identity at the end with the “real gift.” It’s all about appreciating the people around you whether it be your friends, family, or significant other.
However, Mexico celebrates Valentine’s Day on February 14th just like the U.S., but with a slightly different feel. “In Mexico, both romantic love and friendship are celebrated, and I’ve noticed here in the U.S, they focus more on couples,” said 8th grader Alanna Rodriguez. She described how Valentine’s Day back home is filled with gifts, flowers, chocolates, romantic dinners, and fun hangouts with friends. One of her favorite celebrations was exchanging cards and small gifts with her friends, a tradition that highlights how the day isn’t just for couples.
Since coming to Grier, Rodriguez has liked how Valentine’s Day feels more focused on friendships and school activities rather than only romantic gestures. “I’ve noticed people here celebrate more with friends, which is really nice,” she added. For her, this approach shows the importance of celebrating love with everyone in your life, not just your partner.
Vietnam’s Valentine’s Day traditions are even more focused on couples than in America. “Usually, the man will give gifts like chocolate and flowers to his girlfriend,” senior Annie Nguyen explained, “and there are places for couples to go, like cafés or restaurants.” One of the most popular destinations is Da Nang’s Love Lock Bridge where couples can write their names on a lock and attach it to the railings as a symbol of their relationship.
However, unlike in the U.S., where Valentine’s Day is often the time to confess your love, Nguyen pointed out that in Vietnam, “We don’t really have the culture of giving chocolates to ask someone out. It’s only an occasion for people who are already together to celebrate their love.”
Interestingly, Vietnam also has a follow-up holiday called White Day, which is celebrated a month later and is where people traditionally reciprocate gifts given on Valentine’s Day. However, Nguyen laughed as she admitted, “Honestly, people mostly forget about White Day.”
After coming to Grier, Nguyen discovered Galentine’s Day — a celebration of love and appreciation between friends. “I really like that,” she said. “It makes me feel like this holiday is more inclusive because even friends can celebrate their love and appreciation for each other.”
So, whether it’s exchanging chocolates in Vietnam, sharing cards with friends in Mexico, or surprising someone with Amigo Secreto gifts in Colombia, Valentine’s Day, or its equivalents, reminds us that love doesn’t need borders, and it’s never limited to just one day.
