“I’d rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck,” Emma Goldman said. This quote speaks of the love from a truly caring person and the little things that count then the expensive items. Valentine’s Day is a unique day dedicated to love. Although the origins did not commence in this way, society has now overruled the history of Valentine’s day and made into a day people either like or dislike.

When people hear February the common first thought that comes to mind is Valentine’s Day. Flowers, chocolate, hearts and love flourishes the majority of minds when Valentine’s day arrives. You can sometimes feel like the outcast if you do not have that special person to celebrate Valentine’s Day with. Most people who do have that lover tend to have a special day spent with each other. A larger number of people forget the origin of Valentine’s day and what truly happened centuries ago.

Valentines Day originates from St. Valentine who descended from both Christian and Roman tradition. This man was a priest who served in the 3rd century in Rome. During that time Claudius II realized that single men made better working soldiers than the ones who had families and wives. Due to this he decreeed the outlaw for single young men to be married Valentine saw the injustice in this law and married young couples in secret. Valentine was then killed once discovered for his actions.

There is a lot of history behind this day that people regret about both people need to remember of the heroic saint. There is still grey spots in this story, some believe he was martyred for helping Christians escape from prison. Legend has it that an imprisoned Valentine sent the first valentine. It is claimed that he wrote his love a letter signed “From your Valentine.” There are many stories told but ultimately the history of this day is still uncertain. The only thing we are certain for is that this day is world wide known and dedicated fr the people you are in love with.

The Feather is here to share peoples stories of their best Valentine’s Day or worst. Some have stories that they are not to proud to share while others feel the need not to fall into the worlds stand point of this day. Many people find a lot of things to take delight in this day because people are able to spend the day with their loved one a lot of single people take this day hard for they do not have that special companion to share their day with. Please join in this discussion and share your most memorable valentines day or maybe what your dream Valentine’s day would look like in the comments below.

Falling into peer pressure
Mike Ogden, P.E. Instructor
February 12, 2013

One time in junior high I didn’t want to be that one guy that didn’t have a valentine. This is terrible, but I got a girlfriend a week before Valentine’s day just so I could have a valentine on Valentine’s day; about a week or two later we broke up. The pressure of society is, “I have to have a valentine,” that pressure is so big that I got a girlfriend just to fit in. Really, its all about what you make of it; you dont have to have a specific valentine. My adivce is to have fun and to not fall in to the pressures of Valentine’s day.

Optimistic on Valentine’s day
Abby Brown, ’16
February 12, 2013

My dream Valentine’s Day would involve doing something fun. It wouldn’t necessarily be with a guy, but just going with my friends to the beach or going out. I think Valentine’s Day is kind of sad for us single people, but it’s still a pretty cool holiday. My worst Valentine’s Day was probably when I was in sixth grade and I broke my foot at tumbling class.

Remember the history
Jordan Castro, ’15
February 12, 2013
I think it has a good meaning behind it, but I think we kind of confuse it for a love story when it was really talking about the saint, St. Valentine, who gave his life for the girl he met. I think we should all look a little bit more into the history of Valentine’s Day. My worst Valentine’s Days have probably been all the ones that I’ve been single for.

Unnecessary holiday
Katie Uribe, ’14
February 12, 2013

I think Valentine’s Day is a waste of a holiday for all those lonely people out there. Its fun to see the 7th and 8th graders saying “I love you” and all that stuff but for the most part its kind of weird. You’re only in high school so you aren’t going to get married. I think its supposed to be a happy day and you have that happy feeling all day long like you’re waiting for your flowers or chocolates.

Picture perfect picnic
Stephan Melendez, ’13
February 12, 2013

Well first of all, I hate Valentine’s Day, because I don’t have anyone to spend it with. And secondly my dream Valentine’s Day would be to go out in my truck four-wheeling on the beach and lay out some fake grass in my truck bed and have a picnic and watch the sunset while the beach is doing its thing, with another person. My worst Valentine’s Day experience was when I did not get one Candy Gram from someone at school my 7th grade year. I was so sad.

Lady and the tramp
Brandon McCormick, ’13
February 12, 2013

Well for Valentine’s Day this year my girlfriend and I are going to make spaghetti and lay it in the middle of the table but we’ll be eating the spaghetti with our hands instead of forks. There will also be candles everywhere filling the room. So yeah, it should be interesting.

Consumer holiday
Ileana See, ’16
February 12, 2013

I do not like Valentine’s Day because it’s a very consumeristic holiday. If you love someone that much you should treat the person like that every single day, not just on Valentine’s Day.

Hopeful Valentine
Elora Hargis, ’16
February 12, 2013

I would love to have a boyfriend for Valentine’s Day so he can buy food and other nice things. It would also be lovely for someone to ask me to be their valentine.

For more discussions, read the Jan. 31 article, Individuals impacted by experiences: Join the discussion.