KAYLA BROWN
Staff Writer
The day for showing your loved ones how much you appreciate them is finally here. Some people plan for weeks, asking people for their advice, looking up recipes to cook for dinner, running out to stores trying to find the biggest teddy bear, a box of chocolates, and possibly even a piece of jewelry for those who are extra-special. Others, however, view Feb. 14 as just another regular day and find no significance in it. Then there are those who don’t have a valentine, and decide to pamper themselves — since Valentine’s Day is about love, why not treat yourself for a day? These different sentiments are dispersed throughout our Marlin Community.
“Valentine’s Day is a day for you and your loved one to look back on your relationship together, and to see how far you’ve come,” said junior Xzavier Darden.
Valentine’s Day is an important day for Darden, who tries to think of out-of-the-ordinary ways to celebrate it. Last year, as he recalls, he cooked dinner for his girlfriend and surprised her with a movie afterwards, all in our very own Blocker Hall. Darden can’t speak on what his Valentine’s Day celebration will be this year; however, he plans on its being even better than last year’s.
Darden wasn’t the only Marlin who took a minute to step back and reflect on the events of a previous Valentine’s Day. Sophomore Dionna Foxx remembers that when she was in fourth grade, her boyfriend bought her a stuffed animal, an American Girl book, truffles and a chocolate rose. “I was so excited that day, I remember it like it was yesterday,” said Foxx. Despite its being years ago, she still considers it to be the best Valentine’s Day gift she ever received, especially since it was from her first boyfriend.
Valentine’s Day isn’t just centered on those who are in a relationship or have a valentine, though. It is a day to show your loved ones how much you appreciate them. This year, freshman Alvin Parker decided to spend the day showing how much he cares about the number-one woman in his life: his mother.
“She brought me into this world, and this is one of my ways of showing my appreciation for her,” said Parker.
He plans on buying her a card and chocolate, which he does annually. Parker enjoys going out of his way to make the people closest to him happy.
Happiness is another key factor on this day of love, and even if you don’t have a significant other to spend it with, or a parent you don’t want to spend it on, there’s always yourself. Junior Katelyn Williams says that you don’t have to have a valentine to have a good day!
“I’m going to give myself a manicure, a pedicure and treat myself to a movie.” said Williams.
Williams calls her plans for Valentine’s Day a “me date,” since her plans will be centered around herself. She advises those without a valentine to pamper themselves, treat themselves to lunch out, and most importantly love themselves.
Whether you decide to spend this day going to the movies, cooking dinner, doing homework, or even just hanging out with friends, just keep in mind that this day only comes around once a year, so make the best of it.