US, Feb. 14 -- VALENTINES Day is traditionally a time of heartshaped balloons, overpriced roses and fully-booked restaurants. Couples kiss and hold hands, smiling selfies celebrate a day of public displays of devotion.

Why do so many of us feel such pressure to offer grand gestures, buy pricey gifts, and go through elaborate displays of affection? Presumably, to prove our love. Valentines Day is a showy, one-day-a-year demonstration that promises to do just that.

For the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle (384- 322BC), however, this approach misunderstands the nature of love. For him, the true form of love wasnt intense passion or grand gestures on one day of the year. Instead, its a steady commitment to help your beloved grow into the...