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Valentine’s Day? No big deal

Valentine’s Day? No big deal

February 14, 2019 at 12:00am


Hearts, hearts everywhere (on campus): Blue sky, hibachi heart, green grass (courtesy of Milagros Acebal)

Sometimes the build up to Valentine’s Day is bigger than the actual day itself. While Hallmark and florists make the most of the holiday, plenty of folks see it as nothing special.

“It’s just another day for me,” said international relations senior Amanda Perez. Single, she planned to travel to Washington, D.C., on Feb. 14 to look at graduate schools. Originally from Puerto Rico, she said that back home the day is more about friendship and family rather than romantic love. “When I got [to South Florida], I was confused that Valentine’s Day was mainly just for couples.”

Biochemistry sophomore Anthony Membreno likewise will not be spending time with a significant other. Instead he will enjoy the company of his best friend. “We’ll probably go to Small Tea and hang out,” he said. It’s likely for the best as he recalls his track record on Valentine’s Day is not great: In middle school he delivered a heart-shaped note to his crush in which he explained that things weren’t working out.

Biology freshman Ameenah Aljabry had a similar Valentine’s Day experience—only it was her boyfriend who put the brakes on the relationship with a text. Lucky for her, that bad memory could well be replaced with a good one this year as she has a new boyfriend and can’t wait to see what he has planned.

Women’s studies senior Nelly Fairfoot will help out at a drag show called Queen of Hearts that an LGBTQ group is staging on campus. He is pretty neutral about the Valentine’s Day hoopla.

“It can be good if you’re in a relationship,” he said. “Besides that, I think, objectively, the whole thing is a day for companies to sell you candy.”

Computer science sophomore Kevin Roque had no romantic evening on tap either. “I’m not really focused on relationships or anything like that,” he said. “I don’t see it as a priority.”

Sophomore  psychology major Ali Hayes said that Valentine’s taking place on a Thursday meant that her classes, including a lab section that doesn’t end until 8 p.m., will put a crimp in the festivities. Instead of the whole nine yards, “We’re just going to do something light tonight and probably celebrate on the weekend,” she explained. Her idea of light: baking cupcakes with her boyfriend while he whips up a steak—not too shabby for a school night.

Construction management freshman Mark Fabian, a proponent of not overspending to show one’s love, got a bit cagey when asked about his holiday plans. He said he will have dinner with his special someone at Shake Shack and looked forward to “seeing where the night goes.”

Fine. Just don’t tell your mother.