Rub it in our faces, Hallmark.

Remember the execution of Valentine, a holy priest in Rome, on Feb. 14 around the year 278 A.D. during the days of Emperor Claudius II?

Yeah, me either.

History claims Claudius the Cruel couldn’t maintain a strong army and find soldiers to join in his military leagues. He believed the Roman men hesitated to join because of their strong attachment to their wives and families.

Claudius the “cold-hearted” banned all marriages and engagements in Rome, so Valentine defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.

Gag. No wonder they chopped his head off.

Valentine developed a crush on the jailer’s daughter while in jail and left her a farewell note signed “From Your Valentine” before he died.

However, Valentine’s Day celebration roots trace back to at least three different distinct Saint Valentines.

What began as a simple exchange of love notes in the 17th century blew-up when some woman started to mass-produce elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons, and colorful pictures.

Today, lovers collectively exchange an estimated 151 million Valentine’s Day cards.

And the average sucker spends $169 dollars on flowers, chocolate, dinner, jewelry and teddy bears.

Valentine’s Day turned into a monster of a retail scam and a sob fest for all the single ladies.

For all the girls that shed a tear for every picture of a bouquet of flowers on Instagram and another for every “I love you” Facebook post, do you remorse when you don’t indulge in chocolate-covered strawberries on Grandparent’s Day?

What about Boss’s Day, Secretary’s Day or Sweetest Day?

Hallmark plays with our emotions and forces us to believe that a date with some loser on this particular night will make us happy with ourselves.

Happiness instead comes from loving the right things and loving them the right way. When you find that happiness—a good book, a home-cooked meal, a walk in the woods—love will follow. Only when you love yourself that special someone will notice and love you for your love of life and celebration of living.

But for those of you in relationships, you better show your love today or your ass will end up single.

“Valentine’s Day represents a reminder for people to show their love and appreciation to those who are most important in their lives,” said Steve Klinger, a true romantic (and also my stepfather).

Sure it’s another day to show your affection but love isn’t fun when it’s forced.

At the end of the day, it’s just another day. Another day over-played by materialistic America.

And in the words of my boyfriend, “Why would I buy you flowers that are just going to die in two days anyway?”