With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, Kathmandu’s gift and florist shops are stocking up on chocolates, cards, roses, stuffed toys and other romantic mementos to celebrate love. But can the true meaning of love be found among sweets and souvenirs? How does love between two individuals guide this special day?

Priyanjali Karn of ApEx talked to 10 individuals to find out what Valentine’s Day means to them.

Dhana Dhimal, 43

I didn’t grow up in a culture where we ever celebrated Valentine’s Day. Honestly, it is just like any other day for me. It has always been a western culture. I see young people celebrating the day, but it never occurred to me as a special occasion. I think love can be expressed in many ways, without gifts and chocolate boxes. I’ve been married for more than 20 years now and I don’t think the love I have for my partner can be defined and expressed by one day of celebration.

Kishor Kundan, 36

Romantic love and feelings are still an awkward topic in our society. I admire the fact that an occasion like Valentine's Day embraces and celebrates love. To me, the act of love comes before anything else. If Valentine's Day is important to my partner, then it will be important to me as well. And if the day doesn’t mean anything to her, then that’s also alright with me. It's about her more than the celebration of it.

Manmaya Chhetri, 64

I have never celebrated Valentine's Day. I didn’t even know about it until my little granddaughter started giving me handmade Valentine's cards while she was in her pre-school. It was a very sweet and special gesture. My whole life and all the love in it is with the family my husband and I built together. Remembering my granddaughter running to me with her cards makes me happy. I feel my life is whole again. It reminds me of the love between me and my family.

Sagar Jung Basnet, 25

I believe celebrating love is a wonderful thing and Valentine's day is all about celebrating love. But showing love, respect and care for your significant other shouldn’t be limited to just one special day of the year. Love comes first and I believe in expressing it everyday.

Niraj Tamang, 24

Love drives us as individuals and as a society. I believe that love transcends all and it keeps our civilization together. So Valentine's Day is special to me. It is the day that reminds us to appreciate the power of love and why it is important to be held in high regard on other days as well.

Shyama Acharya, 45

I believe love cannot be defined by Valentine's Day celebrations. I have been with my husband ever since we were in eighth grade. I think I have experienced love in its truest form and it cannot be defined by gifting flowers and candies. For me, every day is an act of celebrating love. Everything I do, every act of thoughtfulness and care for my family I hold and express, is me celebrating love.

Hardik Agrawal, 18

I am a person who is guided by love. Celebrating Valentine’s Day with your loved ones is a beautiful idea. Yes, it does get depressing sometimes when you don’t have that someone to celebrate it with. But that feeling of longing also reminds us of the importance of love. It makes the day so much more special.

Anushruti Koirala, 22

I never thought I would warm up to the idea of celebrating Valentine's Day. But love means a lot to me these days and I have changed my view on celebrating this day. To me, love is a feeling of not worrying, knowing that your partner will still be there and love you no matter what. It is the feeling of comfort knowing that someone will be on your side in your darkest hours. So having a day dedicated to celebrating love is a beautiful thing.

Zealation Shah, 46

A day that started with Saint Valentino who sacrificed his life just so people love each other in a pure sense, it is no wonder that this day comes with an unearthly beauty. I do celebrate love. Through all these years the greatest forms of love come to me every time I hug my wife. I think the most important part of Valentine's Day is that dedication towards spreading love and loving one another. But in today’s world, the commercialization and commodification of love don’t justify the true meaning behind it. Love doesn’t have to be shown off, but it should be experienced in a lively and meaningful way.

Ramita Karn, 35

I only started celebrating Valentine’s Day after I got married 15 years ago. Coincidentally, the day falls right before my wedding anniversary. So it is naturally a very special time for me and my husband. Just the thought of getting to celebrate our anniversary as well as the day dedicated to love makes it so much more romantic for us.