Candy Heart Sprinkles and Valentine's Singles

Students create ways to celebrate day

Last year, Blakemore's Flowers in Harrisonburg sold approximately 500 Valentine's Day flower arrangements, over 4,000 roses and two to three dozen plush animals, according to Blakemore's design manager Cathi Hemmis.

On Valentine's Day, the emphasis seems to be placed on romantic love. However, Valentine's Day doesn't have to leave singles feeling bitter or lonely. It's not just about celebrating romance; it's more broadly about celebrating Cupid and the love he brings to people, according to a Feb. 9 article in The Breeze. Everyone can be involved in celebrating love — singles and couples alike. By finding different ways to celebrate and different people with whom to celebrate, single people can turn Valentine's Day from a depressing day into a happy holiday.

One great way to celebrate Valentine's Day is to have a party, or at least a gathering of close friends.

Last Valentine's Day, senior Christy Eroe planned a special evening for some of her single friends. Senior Katie Hoyt, who was in attendance, said, "She (Eroe) picked six guys and six girls who she thought would be good matches for a date. It was all friends, so there was no romantic pressure involved."

As everyone got ready, Eroe asked them funny questions for a videotape she was making. She used their answers to make a tape that showed how compatible each couple was, and showed it at the end of the night. "She taped it so that the guy and girl on the date together were right after one another," Hoyt said. "It was funny to see which couples' answers were similar."

The date officially began with the men and women meeting each other at the kissing rock on the Quad. "She set it up blind, so you knew who your date was by which guy was holding your favorite flower," Hoyt said.

The events of the evening included a scavenger hunt of activities for each couple to complete, a candlelit dinner and sundae making. "It was a fun way to celebrate Valentine's Day because we had something to do, but without any pressure. We all just had a really good night, and now have a great story to tell," Hoyt said.

Seeing couples celebrate on Valentine's Day can make even the most optimistic single person get down on him-or herself. Going to a Valentine's Day party specifically for singles, or with single people, can make it easier.

"I think that everyone who is single needs to find someone else that is single to hang out with," junior Josh Kirby said. "That way, there will be no weird feelings about being left out."

Spending time with singles also can give people the opportunity to hit it off with someone new. Last Valentine's Day, Kirby went to a Valentine's party with two single friends. "I ended up hitting it off with one of them, and we were together for 10 months," he said.

Kirby said it's important to keep an optimistic attitude. "Don't get down on yourself just over one day because you don't know what the night holds for you," he said.

Since Valentine's Day is about celebrating all types of love, spending time with good friends can be a great way to celebrate. It provides the chance to show them how special they are, and makes the holiday fun at the same time.

Juniors Holly Brennan and Katie Gilroy celebrate Valentine's Day with their good friends by having a special "girls night in."

"Big parties are great," Gilroy said, "but sometimes a low-key evening with friends can be just as much, if not more, fun."

The friends get together to watch their favorite romantic movies and eat junk food. "Last year, we put on sweatpants, ate pizza, baked cookies and watched ‘Someone Like You,'" Brennan said.

"Guys come and go, but your best friends are always there," she added. "It's nice to celebrate with friends because they are some of the people you love the most."

Friends aren't the only people with whom to celebrate. Many single people use Valentine's Day to remind their families how much they care for them.

Every year, senior Amy Martin gets a Valentine's gift from her mom — a surprise, along with a box of chocolates and a card. Martin then goes to visit her mom and brings her a gift as well.

"My mom always makes us feel special — especially on Valentine's Day — so we try to do the same for her," she said.

Senior Jordan Crotty also remembers his mother every Valentine's Day, whether he's single or not. "I always send my mom something on Valentine's Day because she is such a vital part of my life," he said.

Crotty feels that remembering loved ones on Valentine's Day can help singles feel less lonely. "The nature of the holiday can make single people feel isolated," Crotty said. "But, they don't need to feel that way. They just need to celebrate their loved ones."

Sophomore Brenton Moseley even suggested using Valentine's Day as a time to appreciate oneself. "Since Valentine's is a celebration of love between people, why not celebrate your love for yourself? Go out to dinner and order all the food you want, and laugh at those fools paying double. At least you are saving money."

For those who still feel that Valentine's Day only is for couples, there is one thing to keep in mind. "Try to enjoy it as if it were just a regular night," Brenton said. "Because, in reality, Valentine's Day is just another day."