On Valentine’s Day, the children wear red, white and pink to school. With hearts soaring on cupid’s wings and copious amounts of sugar, they play games, dance, and exchange brightly coloured Valentine cards. A kiss, inspired by childhood curiosity and facilitated by a dare, causes the room to swell with squealing laughter.

In elementary school classrooms, there is a very important rule. If Valentine cards are given to one child, they must be given to all children equally. By ensuring that everyone is included, children learn the act of reaching out instead of turning away. Children learn to express unconditional love and celebrate universal friendship. To leave someone out would be unthinkable in the heart of a child.

As we grow older we turn our love inwards in pursuit of our passionate desires. Valentine’s Day becomes a celebration of romantic love and intimacy and is no longer the communal sharing of friendship and goodwill that children celebrate. Unlike children, adults no longer spend hours writing Valentine cards for their neighbours and friends, but why not? We should celebrate all types of love, for all types of people, in our homes, our communities and everywhere.

Saint Valentine fought to liberate love in a time of war. His battle still rages today. The steady stream of fallen soldiers, the slow suicide of environmental destruction, and the oppression of the world’s poor touch all of our lives. If children can learn to love their classmates unconditionally, reach out to them, celebrate with them, and share cupcakes with them, can we at least learn to stop killing each other? In the words of a six year old girl, “If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate."