A MONTH OF LOVE Two! Four! Six! Eight! Who do you appreciate?

I appreciate my girlfriend for always being there for me. I appreciate my sports teammates for always pushing me and making me feel like family. I appreciate everyone who makes me smile for making life that much more

- Bryce Pawling

I appreciate my teachers past and present. They have helped me get through so much I don’t know what I would have done without them. Words can not describe how thankful I am for each and every one of them.

-Cyrus McMillion

Finton. I just wanted to say that he’s a good and kind person. Please keep smiling!

- Anonymous

I love my cat, Hazel and boyfriend, Ezra.

- Anonymous

Story by Terina Papatu Graphics by Charli Gilchrist HAWKEYE STAFF

Oh,Valentine’s Day. It went from a feast honoring St. Valentine in 270 C.E., to spending $10 on a bag of cards for your 5th grade class, to spending $20 on a box of chocolates for your best friend! Kidding, obviously. But in the month of love, you’re surrounded by flora, pink and red, hearts, jewelry, teddy bears and so much more. And as the years go on, finding someone to love has gotten so much… easier? You used to have to send letters, get parental permission, etc. Now, it’s as easy as stalking their Instagram and messaging a simple, “Hey!” The definition of love is an intense feeling of deep affection. While you might have a different personal definition, the general population has agreed that both platonic and romantic love is a typically good thing. And on Valentine’s Day, you’re given the opportunity to express whatever kind of love you care about most! Maybe even… love most.

“I see it mostly as a ‘day of love’ with ‘love’ being much more vast than its romantic definition. In this sense it is much more all-inclusive and less belittling of those who don’t have

I appreciate my family and friends (especially 2 of my best friends because they’re always so supportive and can make me laugh at any time). I also appreciate any good music and sleep. I could list many more but those are my top few.

- Anonymous romantic partners, and also allows recognition of those in your life that you really do love and don’t get many chances to express it,” senior Tristan Harmon said.

The students of Terrace have lived busy lives these past few months, dealing with no internet, finals, holidays and whatever else they do in their free time. But, with the day of love just passing, they still found time to appreciate their families, friends, pet rats and so much more.

Out of everyone in his life, sophomore Matthew AlonzoSerna appreciates his family the most for always being there for him.

“Like my parents told me, there’s only two ways you become who you are. One way is with your family, and the other way is with the outside world,” he said. “Your family sets the building blocks of how you will act when you step out of the house. Society is what teaches you stuff you don’t learn inside your home, positive and negative.”

Along with this, showing appreciation has changed over time as well. As mentioned before, chocolate and cards are certainly ways to show someone how much they mean to you. But these gifts also make Valentine’s Day seem competitive.