Paulina Howard ‘15
EE Senior Lifestyle Editor
Tender kisses, long hugs under the moonlight, walks hand in hand on the beach, and romantic dinners at fancy restaurants are the common expectations that girls have when Valentine’s Day, February 14th, comes around. Every year, it is the same expectations, some people consider them realistic, while others are just happy enough spending the day in each other’s undivided attention; not having every day responsibilities getting in the way of each other’s affection. But is Valentine’s Day just another Hallmark holiday? Or is it a day that should be celebrated to its fullest, coming up with endless ways to woo your certain significant other? Love is in the eye of the beholder, so it is up to you my friends.
When students were asked here at Trumbull High school their honest opinion about Valentine’s Day, some became super excited to give their take on the holiday, while some became a bit more somber and bitter. Being told that it is “…simply a holiday for the Romantics of the school and a tragedy for the forever alone” was a common response in regards to students initial thoughts and opinions about Valentine’s Day. Many students waved their arms around, pointing to the couples making out in the hallways, or the couples holding each other’s hands while sharing coy smiles that hints at their “teenage undying love” for one another. “Its bad enough that us lonely people have to be witnesses to their love everyday, so now there is a day to intensify this?! Lets just have a sign painted on my shirt to advertize my perpetual state of forever-aloneness!” says a worked up senior.
However, our high school is not just filled with angsty teens who would give nothing more than to indulge in a bucket of ice cream on their own on Valentine’s Day. The other half of the student population is excited for Valentine’s Day, either for their own plans with their significant other, or with the possibility that something will happen on Valentine’s Day. Since Valentine’s Day is supposedly the day out of the year to profess your love to someone else, there is always that chance that that certain special someone will show up in your life and put a smile on your face.
For students that are in relationship right now, there is always that question as to what to get your boyfriend or girlfriend as a “special” Valentine’s Day gift, because that is what society expects you to do. Most girls expect a nice sterling silver heart necklace for a gift on Valentine’s Day, because they use it as a token/symbol for their relationship. But according to junior Lisa Gianinni, “Being with someone I love would be good enough for me. It [Valentine’s Day] does not have to be elaborate. I hate how girls are whining about wanting certain things from their boyfriend. But you should have everything that you could want right in front of you. Because if you have someone who simply adores you back, that is enough for me.”
But the question of whether roses are too cliche to give on Valentine’s Day and some boys struggle with whether or not they should buy them for their girlfriends. With roses being expensive to begin with because they have to be imported from Ecuador and Columbia, they are double the price on Valentine’s Day because of their classic image of being a the flower of love and passion. So are roses a dated classic symbol of love that is out of style, or do girls still love receiving them? According to junior Hayley Giblin, “ I love getting roses. I think that they are super cute and show that he really cares.” Lisa agrees that roses are a great gift. But on the other perspective, do guys really like buying them for their girls, or are roses a last thought to them when it comes to getting gifts for their girls? Thomas Prizio, a Trumbull High School junior says, “I think that roses are sweet. They are indeed overused, but still extremely sweet. I would change it up with other flowers though to make it more personal to her likes.” Modernizing the bouquet of flowers was a common occurrence with the boys opinions in regards to giving flowers. For Justin Ferriera, “I think that roses are cliche but still sweet,” he agrees with Thomas, “but I would add carnations to that bouquet to make them more appealing and more interesting than just roses.” All in all, boys, roses are not a dying cause yet. They are still very much appreciated and well respected by the entire girl population. A survey was conducted and it showed that 93% of Trumbull High School girls would love to receive a bouquet of roses. It doesn’t even have to be Valentine’s Day. Even just surprising her one day with a bouquet might make her day and feel super loved. Trust me, you would get a lot of respect from her.
Freshman year, every one reads William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, and english classes debate to death if teenagers are capable of real love. With Romeo’s famous quote, “Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight!/ For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night” (1.5.52-53), students at Trumbull High School do believe in the statistical probability of love at first sight. Both Lisa and Hayley agree that love at first sight is entirely realistic for teenagers, and anyone at any age for that matter. For, “If you see someone, not only do you find them attractive, but there is just a connection that you feel around them. I think thats love at first sight,” says Lisa. Now, girls are not the only ones who believe in love at first sight. Everyone does at some point in their life. If you deny it, you are lying to yourself. As for Justin, “I believe in love at first sight. Because there just has to be that one person in the world that is your other half. The person that completes you are makes you reach your full potential of your ‘you-ness’.” To different people, their definition of love at first sight is obviously different. For some people it is seeing someone’s confidence shine, the swoosh and shine of that special someone’s hair, their shy smile, their sarcasm, their laugh, or even the eye contact they make. Because to Romeo, “O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!/ It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night/ Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope’s ear;/ Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!” (1.5.45-47).
Whether you are flying solo this year, or celebrating this day with your significant other, there is something to love in Valentine’s Day for everyone. No matter how bitter or passive you are on the 14th, mocking all the couples, there is a part of you that longs for real love. You may have experienced love at first sight, or you may have been in love with the idea of love at some point in your life. Because, “Love is the voice under all silences, the hope which has no opposite in fear; the strength so strong mere force is feebleness: the truth more first than sun, more last than star…” as best said by E.E. Cummings. So boys, there is no need to buy her expensive gifts, or go all out with fancy dinners. Having her be your only focus, giving her your undivided and respectful attention is the best gifts of all. Long walks on the beach or just a plain walk together is the ideal Valentine’s Day outing any girl could ask for. So always remember that we accept the love that we think we deserve, and “The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.” said by Thich Nhat Hanh.