FOR YOU AND ME

I appreciate my friends for always sticking with me through all of my flaws and my worst moments.

- Ben Dockter

“Everyone always wants to outdo each other, everyone wants to give their partner the biggest and best present until it seems like it’s no longer out of love,” sophomore Reyna Rodriguez said.

This is something seen quite a bit in the 21st century especially, as we’re surrounded by media posts of who got what and what someone did for the day. For teenagers who are on social media more than anyone and are just experiencing their first relationships, this trend can seem amplified tenfold.

“I feel like teenagers treat Valentine’s Day very much as a day to shower their partner in love and express how much they appreciate them and it definitely feels more like romantic love is important,” junior Madi Beam said.

This could be seen on the morning of Valentine’s Day at school, students walking around the halls with teddy bears, baskets, bouquets. Some bouquets were provided by our very own school community, with the class of 2025 ASB selling teddy bouquets to raise funds for their prom while spreading the love.

“I loved the bear bouquet idea they had this year and the spirit week,” Rodriguez said. Luckily, big bouquets of bears, jewelry and all the aforementioned gifts aren’t the only way to show someone you love them. The five love languages are words of affirmation, acts of service, gift giving/receiving, quality time and physical touch. Why keep it limited to gifts?! Outside of Valentine’s Day, a great way to show how much you care is being attentive.

“I actually value my time extremely highly and I make an effort to hang out with those I care about. That being said, if I’m not spending time with them it doesn’t mean I don’t care about them, sometimes I’m just not in the mood for socializing. But yeah, my main [love language] form is time,” Harmon said.

Adding to that, after a quick poll, another very popular love language among students is physical touch! Hugging, putting your arm over their shoulder, that cute thing where you’re not really holding hands but your hands are on top of each other, all of it.

“[My love language is] physical definitely, I literally give everyone hugs,” sophomore Belle Hensrude said. “I hang on my partner constantly and it’s just so comforting for me. My second one is probably quality time. I spend every second I can to hang out with my partner because I just find myself happiest with him.”

At the end of the day, the pink and red sets in shops, the gifts and roses you get, only last a few weeks. Walk into Safeway from Feb. 1 through 16, it’s decked out and looks like Cupid went $400 over their budget. Why wait for Feb. 14 to roll around when you can appreciate those around you daily? Happy New Year Hawks, and remember to live, laugh, love. H

I appreciate two of my closest friends. Gwen and Anna. l’m completely lost without them. They help me through my first year here in MTHS and in States!!

- Anonymous

I love Paul the Cat. He is the light of my life, my motivation for waking up every morning. Every day I come home and see his face, it fills me with joy. He is beloved by everyone who he graces with his presence with <3

- Anonymous

I APPRECIATE KYLEIGH SMITH! KYLEIGH SMITH SAVED MY LIFE

I LOVE THAT KYLEIGH SMITH!

- Anonymous

I appreciate my friends. They have been my rock through summer and this school year. They are funny, understanding, and so very nice. They have helped me grow as a person and find my best self, well more like find who I wanna be. But they are the most amazing group of friends I could’ve asked for.

- Augustus Lecter

Friends, partner

- Andrian Treadwell