On February 14th, fancy restaurants run out of reservations, stores flood with last-minute bouquet buys, and no person can outrun paper hearts that float around everywhere. Valentine’s Day, a day known for love of its roots tied up with the martyr Saint Valentine and his relation to acts of compassion. 

Valentine’s Day has an array of meanings to many, it’s a day that some hold close to their hearts while others don’t care at all.

For Risa Merrel and Katie Hornibrook, it’s a day that can involve all sorts of events. Merrel, an avid lover of the holiday, states one household tradition, “My mom usually gets me some chocolates and writes me a sweet letter on Valentine’s Day.” Hornibrook finds joy in the devouring of good chocolate, along with, “Giving people stuff, like flowers.”

Merrel had a new excitement this year as “I celebrate traditionally with my family and friends, but this year is the first year that I have a girlfriend I will also be celebrating with.”She adds that her favorite part of the celebration: “Exchanging gifts with friends and family, seeing the people that care for me really show it.”

Valentine’s Day also offers old memories that warm hearts. Merrel recalled a specific day in which “I was in third grade, my mom woke me up and made me breakfast. When I came out to the dining room there was a Valentine’s Day-themed pez and a card waiting for me on the table.” 

Hornibrook recalls the 2021 ice storm where she had “broke my wrist and hung out with my grandparents. We didn’t have power and that was pretty lit.” The two both find Valentines at a similar spot in their holiday ranking, a solid 8/10 from both. Merrel explains, “It is one of my favorite holidays, but Christmas is at the top.”

While Valentine’s Day can be of the utmost importance to a person it can also simply pass by like any other day. In the end, nobody will ever be able to hide from the pink and red that haunts this period.