Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

AN INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER SERVING THE GW COMMUNITY SINCE 1904

The GW Hatchet

Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

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Romance is the word for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day was so much simpler in elementary school. Everyone received cheap, paper Valentine’s valentine’s with the cartoon characters on themsuch as Scooby Doo or Mickey Mouse, and nobody felt left out. And the most intimate messages came in the form of candy hearts reading, “Be Mine” or “Kisses XOXO.” So when did the holiday start to get complicated and lovey-dovey?

Roses, chocolates, teddy bears and romantic evenings are expected on Valentine’s Day, and anything short of that can spell disaster.

“Valentine’s Day is getting to be more of an obligation than a holiday,” said senior Ron Crouch.

One of Crouch’s best Valentine’s Day memories was when he forgot about the holiday altogether.

“I forgot it was Valentine’s Day, and (my girlfriend) was hinting at it,” he recalled. “At the restaurant, I found a ring on the ground and gave it to her. She never knew.”

Junior Sophean Lim described a perfect Valentine’s Day as one that includes champagne, lingerie, chocolate-covered strawberries and expensive gifts. However, sometimes things don’t always go as planned.

“Last year when we went out to dinner, my credit card declined,” Lim said.

The societal pressure Valentine’s Day places on college students to find someone or to go broke showing they care leaves some feeling indifferent about the holiday.

Senior John Harvey said Valentine’s Day is useless, a day arbitrarily chosen to represent love.

“I don’t really remember Valentine’s Day after those mailboxes we used to get in second grade,” Harvey said.

Romance, to him, is choosing something small that the person appreciates, such as the Jet CD he bought his girlfriend because it was her favorite band.

Harvey said Valentine’s Day goes against the idea of romance entirely.

“Attention should be given for attention’s sake, not because someone says you have to,” Harvey said.

Not everyone is as cynical about Valentine’s Day, though. Some students feel that it’s the perfect time to express love. Freshman KaLea Kunkel enjoys getting flowers and candy on Feb. 14.

“Flowers are a must. Flowers or jewelry,” she said.

While her idea of romance may seem traditional, Kunkel’s best Valentine’s Day wasn’t so picture perfect.

“I went on a date, and we simultaneously got our cars towed. He paid for both, and I thought it was sweet because it was like an over-$400 date. He never once complained,” Kunkel said.

It is also romantic to let someone know they haven’t been forgotten on Valentine’s Day. Freshman Alissa Turnipseed recalled last Valentine’s Dayyear when everyone on her floor at her boarding school got carnations except her.

“I shut my door and said, ‘Valentine’s Day sucks!’ I woke up the next day to find twenty four24 carnations outside my door,'” said Turnipseed said.

Are you wondering how to make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable for the one you love?

“If you have someone, make sure you show them that you care, times 10!” Kunkel recommended. Try buying your significant other gourmet chocolates or preparing a home-cooked meal of French cuisine. Send a bouquet of favorite flowers sent to that your special someone’s jobplace of work. Or tTake an intimate walk around town while reading a love letter.

Most importantly, dDon’t forget to do something unexpected.

“Whatever it is they are expecting, don’t do that. If it’s not unexpected, it’s not romantic,” Crouch said.

But what about those who are single on Valentine’s Day? Spending a night on the town or just hanging out with friends can be as much fun as a romantic evening.

But whether you’ve made that love connection or are still getting a busy signal, the question remains; : Is there a special secret to romance? Maybe not. Maybe it’s more simple than that.

“((It’s) nice) ] just being with someone who appreciates you for who you are,” said Turnipseed said.

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