If there’s ever a holiday to embrace all that is cheesy, it’s Valentine’s Day. Even if you’re single, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the festivities.
With love coming in many forms, Valentine’s Day is a reminder to celebrate all kinds of love, including self-love and platonic love. With that said, here’s how The Journal staff will be celebrating everyone’s favourite, or least favourite, holiday.
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My anniversary with my girlfriend falls less than a week before Valentine’s Day, so it’s a bit of a birthday-on-Christmas situation. We went out to a nice restaurant for our anniversary and had already been out to celebrate a career achievement of hers a couple days before, so both of us have filled our eating-out desires for the time being. So, this Valentine’s Day, we’re going to cook a nice meal together at home.
—Curtis Heinzl, Production Manager
For the past four years, Valentine’s Day has been a steady tradition in my life, marked by fond moments with my long-term high school boyfriend. In the past, our celebrations unfolded with a trio of all-day outings, candlelit dinners, and snug rom-com marathons. However, as time went by, we realized the true value of the day lies in our everyday expressions of love.
Amidst the chaos of university life, we’ve learned to prioritize our relationship amidst our busy schedules. This year, he’s opting for surprise dinner in Kingston followed by a walk down Princess St.
A pre-Valentine’s “Galentine’s” dinner the night before hosted by a friend promises homemade heart-shaped pizzas, good wine, and perhaps some festive surprises—a perfect prelude to the 14th.
I’ve learned to appreciate the little things and recognize that love should be celebrated daily. Valentine’s Day is a gentle nudge signalling us to cherish and vocalize our affection for each other, ensuring our gratitude is always acknowledged and never left unsaid.
—Skylar Soroka, Features Editor
I used to be a huge cynic when it came to Valentine’s Day. Growing up, I was taught it was just another Hallmark holiday manufactured to boost consumerism. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to see Valentine’s Day in a different light.
While it’s true the holiday has many commercial aspects, I now view it as an opportunity to celebrate love in all its forms. So, this year I’m attending a “Galentine’s” party with a bunch of friends on Feb. 13, where there’s guaranteed to be lots of laughter and fun.
As for Valentine’s Day itself, I plan to spend the night with my two best friends, both of whom are in long-distance relationships, sharing a bottle of our favourite wine while we catch up on all the assignments we’ve been putting off for the past week.
—Allie Moustakis, Senior Lifestyle Editor
I used to hate Valentine’s Day with a passion. Turns out I was just single and cynical—I’m spending this Valentine’s Day with girlfriend, and I can’t wait! While I don’t think you need a specific day to tell your friends or significant others how much you love them, I think it’s a fun excuse to have an extra special date night.
My girlfriend and I want to mix it up this year, so while I will be dressing up and taking her out to a lovely dinner at Olivea, we’re also going to spend the afternoon cozied up inside. I bought a “make your own candle” kit, so we’re going to paint the jars, mix our preferred scents, and then make the candles.
This year is shaping up to be one of my favourite Valentine’s Days, and it hasn’t even happened yet—the perfect mix of fun and love.
—Violetta Zeitlinger Fontana, Business, Science, & Technology Editor
Valentine’s Day evokes both dread and excitement for me, particularly because I’m in a long-distance relationship. The absence of in-person dates, dinners, and movies makes it torture to watch other people enjoy being physically close to their partners. Witnessing other couples’ love expressed in various beautiful ways can stir up a mix of envy and admiration in my heart.
This Valentine’s Day, I’ll be mostly at work, but my heart will be full of excitement towards my nightly FaceTime with my significant other and at the thought of spending the evening watching The Notebook and 10 Things I Hate About You.
The distance may try to minimize the importance of going on date, but the depth of love and the simplicity of the holiday will never fail to remind me of my ability to love so passionately and so deeply despite distance keeping us apart.
—Meghrig Milkon, Assistant News Editor
Tags
Relationships, staff picks, valentine's day
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