Valentine’s Day is one of the most prominent celebrations during February and love was in the air! Couples planned exciting dates, parents bought their kids small, sweet gifts, and some girls celebrated it as a day with their ‘best gal pal,’ aka Galentine’s Day.
Many countries across the world celebrate this holiday annually. Some believe Valentine’s Day stemmed from the Roman feast of Lupercalia, while others link it to Saint Valentine. Around the 1700s, the exchange of cards and gifts — between both friends and lovers — became popular in the Americas and continues to be a longstanding tradition to this day.
Walkersville High School has their own traditions for Valentines Day. For the last few years, the Key Club has adorned the building with hearts for all the students and staff at WHS. It’s a way to “share the love” with everyone at the school. Many went around searching for their peer’s names as well as their own. It was lots of fun for everyone!
We interviewed students of Walkersville, asking what they typically do to celebrate Valentine’s day, Most bought gifts, both big and small, for their friends and significant others, while others spent the day appreciating one another.
Jordan V, sophomore, says, “For me, I think giving things is a sign of how much I love someone.” For Valentine’s Day, he made a gift basket filled with candies and stuffed animals for his girlfriend. He also said that to celebrate this holiday, he likes to plan dates that both he and his partner would enjoy so they can have fun together.
Since Valentine’s Day was on a school day, students spent time with their partners and friends at school. Many extended the day into the evening, like Grace K: “I had a movie night with my girlfriend.” She says they had lots of fun playing rock paper scissors to decide on snacks and doing henna together.
This Valentine’s Day, many of the band and orchestra students were at Disneyland preparing to perform. We asked a student there what she and her partner did: “I spent like, the whole day with him.” They went to a rainforest themed cafe, exchanged gifts, and went on rides together. Sounds like a fun trip!
There are a number of students who didn’t really celebrate, like freshman Lillian D, who expresses that the day is just like any other for her: “I mean, sometimes I’ll draw hearts on the corner of my paper, but I don’t really do anything special on Valentine’s Day.” She also said that sometimes she exchanges gifts with her friends, but didn’t this year.
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be about romantic or platonic love, there is also self love. This type of love can be forgotten, but it’s one of the most important. Self love is all about appreciating who you are to improve your own happiness and confidence, which is why many people treat themselves to something special like a movie, a special treat, or a break from schoolwork.
Walkersville High School demonstrated their love for each other in all sorts of ways this February. Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to show you care, but making loved ones feel valued shouldn’t be limited to one day; it should be done throughout the year. Good relationships with others and with ourselves are essential to our well being. A pat on the back, a compliment, a quick “love you” are quick and easy ways to show appreciation throughout the year. Pass it on and it will come back to you tenfold.
