Everyone knows Valentine’s Day as a widely commercialized day all about your significant other… but what is lesser known is the ways single people rebel against the displays of affection they see on February 14th.

In Finland, February 14th is called “Ystävänpäivä,” which is translated to “Friendship Day.” It celebrates the gift of friendship, pulling the focus away from relationships – a more platonic alternative. In the United States, “Singles Awareness Day” is another take on Valentine’s Day, a more bitter day, as the acronym purposely spells “SAD.” It’s more of a social media-oriented holiday; a safe place for singles to celebrate each other online and acknowledge their togetherness.

And then there are those who don’t mind being single on Valentine’s Day, who appreciate the concept and celebrate other significant people in their life – family, friends, and even pets. There are positive and negative ways to view the Day of Love, and both are guaranteed to give you a great February 14th!