Students reflect on Valentine’s traditions

Valentine’s Day is a holiday known for showing love to those that are all around you, but there are many differing opinions being heard on campus from the students and staff of Drake University.

Andrea Salvin, a senior majoring in politics, said she feels that Valentine’s Day is an overrated holiday and that it shouldn’t take just one day for someone to show their affection to those around them.

“I think it is overrated and just a normal day,” Salvin said. “Why should people take one day out of the year to show their undying love for another person. They should be doing that every single day of year, not just on one specific day. I mean, why is this even a holiday?”

Kay Awonaike, a sophomore majoring in digital media production and public relations, said he agrees with Salvin on her comments towards Valentine’s Day.

“I think this holiday is just alright, I just treat it like a normal day, and I am pretty neutral about it,” Awonaike said.

“I love treating this day as a day of self-care, it gives me an excuse to eat chocolates and spend quality time by myself.”

Yet sophomore Victoria Soliz, who is majoring in magazine media and digital media production with a minor in rhetoric media and social change, said she feels differently about this holiday, currently planning on spending the night with her boyfriend.

“Honestly, I used to hate the day mainly because of the couples in high school carrying around their gifts and flaunting them,” Soliz said. “I was always like ‘Why not me?’ But now that I’m out of that environment and mentality I love the day. We should show our partner we love them all year round but there’s something special about this day.”

Now, no matter what everyone thinks of Valentine’s Day, the most important memories around this day are all about family and the love that they give.

“I remember my mom would always get me a gift because I’d get sad, I didn’t have anything, so she’d get me some chocolates or a stuffed animal,” Soliz said. “She would always tell me I don’t need a man to show me how much I’m loved.”

Salvin said that her favorite memory of Valentine’s Day was watching her dad get her mom flowers every year on this holiday. Then she would watch in wonder and awe as her mom would get all dressed up, from the hair and makeup, getting ready for a simple date night with her husband.

Awonaike talked about his favorite memory, and it relates to family as well. He said that just being able to spend time with family and showing how thankful they are to have each other in their lives, that is his favorite memory relating to Valentine’s Day.

Now whether it be spending this day with someone who you love in a romantic way, platonic way or even in a friendship way, this day allows you to show that you love. No matter the opinion on this holiday, just remember to show love to those around you and show yourself the love that is sometimes needed through self-care.