VALENTINE'S DAY: A SINGLE PERSON'S LEAST-FAVORITE HOLIDAY

BY BRANDON BARRETT

When people think of Valentine’s Day, they think of love. Romantic dinners by candlelight. Long walks through ancient forests. Songs sweeter than saccharine confections. A jazzy saxophone playing out the smooth sounds of RnB. Love, a feeling so overpowering it has driven some mad and others to glory. However, no one stops to consider the plight of the single on this most romantic of holidays. How one must feel to be surrounded by images of happy couples and sounds of love-struck hearts, relating to none of it. These poor souls often spend the day alone and sad. But, some have managed to find a way to trudge through the sugary waters of February’s coldest day.

Through all of February, the high school prepared for this holiday. The hallways were covered with hearts and messages. The cafeteria was filled with pink and red decor. A grand Winter Formal was thrown the weekend before. All of these preparations, however, have been geared towards couples and their desires. The single people get left out.

North Royalton students had varying opinions on the day. Senior Mary Titterington said, “I think it’s a cute holiday for couples but it’s not something that is super serious. Just a fun thing to celebrate when you love someone.” Scott Sopata, a junior, on the other hand, said, “Well if you can survive the wave of breakups before and manage to have a date then I’m sure it’s great, but if you’re like me and single it’s boring and mildly upsetting.”

Despite the build up to this day, most students went about their normal lives. Mary, for example, said that she just went to work, though some did go to the dance the prior weekend. Even though Valentine’s Day is a holiday largely geared towards couples, people without a partner can also exist on that day as well. Whether that involves living their normal lives or going to dances just to have fun, everyone can still love Valentine’s Day.