Valentine’s Day over the years has increasingly become a fashionable concept and marketing material, with business entities making the most for promotional purposes. The true meaning of Valentine’s Day has been on the wane. In view of this year’s Valentine’s Day, Daily Mirror Life spoke to some couples to ask their opinion and stance on how much has changed.

Vidyaharan and Seshanthri

Vidyaharan and Seshanthri, also Lankans, now in Canada, have come a long way. They have been married for 25 years and that speaks volumes.

“The journey from love to marriage was long for us, nine years to be precise. We were very young when we met, and we knew we had a lot to achieve and prepare for what life would bring us. But our long-distance relationship stood the test of time even with difficult communication methods, then. Being real and honest all that time is what helped me”, said Seshanthri.

Her hubby, Vidyaharan, recounting the early days, narrated it as the first spark of a flame-filled with excitement, passion and full of possibility.

“Falling in love was like the first spark of a flame—it was exciting, passionate, and full of possibility. It’s the butterflies, the late-night conversations, and the feeling that you’ve found something truly special.  In our case it was doubly special because we were separated by long distances – unwittingly adding a level of commitment that eventually sealed the deal”.  Seshanthri felt that, unlike her era, today, this has become a commercial affair.

“Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about celebrating love. It was not very big when we were growing up. Roses and chocolates are all I remember during my dating days. It has evolved into something very big and commercial”. 

Romali and Amesh

Romali and Amesh wed only last month. They celebrated their first-month anniversary a few days prior to their first Valentine’s Day.  Speaking on their shared sentiment, they said, “We believe that commitment to the relationship, respect for each other, trust, understanding and faithfulness have brought us from love to marriage.”

They added that “Valentine’s Day has become a marketing tool over the years, but still, it’s a day for couples to celebrate their love for each other. As married couples, Valentine’s Day does not have a major impact on us, since we are together, but we do celebrate our love on Valentine’s Day in a small manner”. 

Sandun and Anjalie

Sandun and Anjalie were of the view that love is only the beginning, and moving on from love to marriage requires commitment, patience and the willingness to grow together.

“Communicating openly and honestly helps navigate challenges. Understanding and compromising when differences arise, and learning to meet halfway, strengthen the bond. Respect and trust form the foundation of a strong partnership. Perseverance, sharing values and goals, and being aligned on key aspects like family, finances, and faith help sustain the relationship. Love isn’t just about happy moments; it’s about choosing each other even during tough times”, they said.

For them, Valentine’s Day has evolved significantly. “In the past, it was a day of heartfelt expressions such as love letters, small meaningful gestures, and quality time spent together. Today, it has become highly commercialized, with an emphasis on expensive gifts, social media displays, and extravagant experiences”, they added, agreeing that, “The true meaning of Valentine’s Day, celebrating love in its purest form often gets lost in marketing strategies”.

Sandun added, “For me, love isn’t about price tags. It’s about genuine connection and appreciation”.

The couple concluded saying, “While commercialization has changed how love is expressed, the essence of love and marriage remain the same. The key is to focus on what truly matters, which for us is genuine love, understanding, and commitment rather than external expectations”.

Ragavan and Aynthri

Born in Sri Lanka, and based in London, Ragavan and Aynthri, have traversed the distance from love-to-married couple.

Opening up on what it takes to reach there, they revealed – patience, trust, and the willingness to grow together, enduring the test of times.

“The path from love to marriage takes patience, trust, and a willingness to grow together, even when apart. Our journey started in 2006 when we were just two young souls figuring out life and love. Secret meetups, stolen moments, and the challenges of a long-distance relationship tested us early on. When I moved to the United Kingdom in 2008 for further education, we had to learn to love each other from across continents, adjusting to time zones and the misunderstandings that came with it. Yet, we never gave up and through it all – we held on”, they elaborated.  

Praising her hubby profusely, Aynthri went on, “Love is not just about grand moments but about the everyday sacrifices, the small gestures, and the unspoken understanding that no matter what, we are in this together. His love and sacrifices never stopped. When I pursued further studies to advance my career, he stepped up in ways I could never have imagined. Juggling work and parenting, he took care of our two children while I focused on becoming the professional I am today. His love, support and belief in me have been the backbone of my success. Today, I stand as a successful HR professional, not just because of my efforts, but because of the man who always stood beside me and loved me unconditionally for who I was”.

“Valentine’s Day has always been special to us, but its meaning has evolved over the years. Back then, it was one of the rare days we could plan to meet—whether in Sri Lanka, where curious aunties and uncles watched couples closely or in the United Kingdom, where we found ways to celebrate as students. It was a day of excitement, of making or buying the fanciest Valentine’s card we could afford, of treasuring the little time we had together”, they said recalling those early days. Today, Valentine’s Day extends to their young family of four.

“Now, Valentine’s Day is no longer about us, it’s about our family. Our two little ones, ages 3 and 7, have taken over the tradition, making us handmade Valentine’s cards filled with love”, they added.
“While the world has turned Valentine’s Day into a marketing spectacle of extravagant gifts and lavish experiences, for us, the true meaning remains unchanged—celebrating love in its simplest, purest form”, they said. 

BY PRANAVESH SIVAKUMAR