Valentine’s Day has historically been referred to as the “Day of Love.”

Growing up, we all remember the heart-shaped candies, boxes of chocolates and cards that­ profess our love for one another.

But who says we need one specific day to tell our significant others that we love them?

Greeting card companies along with candy and flower companies have perpetuated the idea of Valentine’s Day so immensely that it has turned into a multi-million dollar industry.

Chocolate sales go through the roof during February with Valentine’s Day sales expected to exceed $700 million this year, according to the National Confectioners Association

This type of hype over one day a year is rather ridiculous. Why does Hallmark and 1-800-Flowers feel the need to demand that we go all out on only one day a year to prove our love for someone?

The answer can be found in their bottom line.

The card and candy companies have pushed Valentine’s Day so much that other companies quickly realized the potential spike in profits.

Target and Starbucks, for example, sell both decorations and love-themed products during January and February.

One day per year for love is not enough.

As a person involved in a long- distance relationship myself, showing my love on only one day a year would be detrimental to my relationship.

We express our love on a daily basis, more than just the once a year Hallmark seems to encourage.

I do not celebrate Valentine’s Day in an overly exuberant manner because I don’t feel it is necessary.

By taking the time to make sure I show the person I love how I feel daily,­ I don’t see the point in outrageously professing my love on some day in February.

Some people take advantage of Valentine’s Day and use it as an excuse to overindulge their loved ones, which is perfectly fine.

However, it should not come at the cost of the remaining days of the year. One day a year of overindulgence is not going to make up for 364 days of neglect.

If you choose to participate in an overly excessive expression of love to prove to your significant other you love them, then that is absolutely your choice.

But I don’t think it should be pushed upon us so heavily by greeting card companies and the like.

Because many people, myself included, don’t feel the need to express our love on merely one day per year.