Ready or not, happy Valentine’s

Valentine’s Day comes only once a year. Some people love it, some hate it, but there’s no way around it.
Todd Baird, Ph.D. marriage and family therapist, conducted a survey consisting of 80 Weber State University students to find out what students really think about Valentine’s Day. According to the survey, 72.6 percent of students would rather choose the day they show love to their partner.
“Some individuals do not like to be given a date on which they should express their love,” Baird said, “and feel that the whole idea of a Valentine’s Day is forcing them to do something they would rather do on their own, in their own way and on their own day.”
Ali Forman, a junior majoring in criminal justice and zoology, said she has never been too into Valentine’s Day.
“It’s been more commercialized with those little emotion hearts with lots of fluff and stuff,” Forman said. “That’s not romance. Romance to me would be someone who’s willing to help you with simple things even when you’re having a horrible day.”
Garrett Gleaves, a junior majoring in microbiology, likes having a day set aside to be romantic.
“It’s a good excuse to be romantic,” Gleaves said. “It’s kind of nice to have a day to do that, but if you’re dating someone you should probably try to be romantic as often as possible, not just one day.”
Marc Purser, a senior majoring in communications, said it’s hard to be romantic on a day that’s in the middle of the school semester.
“You don’t get a day off for it so it’s really hard,” Purser said. “I feel like I’m more romantic in the summertime or during Christmas break.”
Baird said an individual’s opinion on Valentine’s Day develops from their past experiences.
“For some, Valentine’s Day may have been characterized by positive experiences and emotions in the past,” Baird said. “For others, Valentine’s Day may have been filled with hurt or feelings of rejection.”
A person’s relationship status is also a factor in determining whether or not the day is viewed as romantic.
“We do know that in general, relationships are more romantic in the beginning stages, with a drop in the middle and then an increase in romanticism in later years,” Baird said. “The most romantic would likely be those who have recently began their relationship and those who have been together for a long time.”
Jake Cooper, a sophomore majoring in public relations and advertising, agreed the length of the relationship plays a role in what a couple does for Valentine’s Day. When Cooper was in high school, he had been in a relationship for four years and surprised his girlfriend with a candlelit dinner.
“I bought all of these decorative things like placemats, a big teddy bear, big flowers and I cooked this dinner and had it all candlelit,” Cooper said. “I dressed up like a waiter and had my tie and my vest and everything. The more you have invested, the more you show up for the big Valentine’s.”
Baird’s survey also showed that 97.4 percent of students think females enjoy Valentine’s Day more than males.
“Guys are just like, ‘That’s OK, whatever, let’s go play sports’,” said freshman Ryan Kippen. “Girls are a lot more emotional, and they feel more with their heart and everything. Guys are just like, ‘Hey, let’s go beat up something.’”
Lynsi Saunders, a senior majoring in social work, agreed females seem to get more into Valentine’s Day.
“Females like to get pampered,” Saunders said. “I don’t think guys care as much as the girls do. We like the flowers and the presents, so definitely girls.”
Valentine’s Day is Feb. 14., and as Baird said, “Don’t forget.”