The heart of the matter – Archive
Written by Amanda Pretulac, Feb 7, 2011, 0 Comments
Armando Valladares, left, 21, is a junior majoring in Accounting and a big fan of Valentine’s Day. Crystal Boswell, right, 24, is a senior majoring in Business Marketing and is anything but.
Amanda Pretulac
Entertainment Editor
Remember the simple days in elementary school when you received cartoon-covered Valentine’s Day cards from all of your classmates? Everyone placed valentines in mailboxes covered in too much glitter and Elmer’s glue. I had a crush on this adorable kid named Danny, and after he gave me a “Be Mine” Power Rangers Valentine, I knew his true feelings for me.
Valentine’s Day was simple back then, but fast forward a few years and suddenly things become complicated. It seems like the holiday is on steroids. Around one billion Valentine cards are given every year. The average American will spend over $100 for the holiday, and over nine million pet owners will shower their pets with gifts.
USF St. Petersburg students sound off with their opinions on the holiday, sharing the good, the bad and the ugly.
The holiday had a “beautiful and noble beginning,” according to William Nicks, a junior and hopeless romantic.
“But [it] evolved into a day we use an excuse to not be romantic year-round,” he said. “It has turned into a commercialized holiday based on materialistic values. The holiday isn’t a bad thing, it’s only that you should show everyone you care for them on a daily basis.”
Student Crystal Boswell also has mixed feelings about the holiday.
“Valentine’s Day is such a mess of a holiday. I believe it has turned into a very superficial day. The bigger the chocolate box or the bigger the teddy bear can warrant warmer hugs and longer kisses.” - Crystal Boswell
“Valentine’s Day is such a mess of a holiday,” she said. “I believe it has turned into a very superficial day. The bigger the chocolate box or the bigger the teddy bear can warrant warmer hugs and longer kisses.”
Boswell thinks Valentine’s Day should be a day to spend time with your significant other.
“Take time to enjoy being with that person and appreciate them. Appreciate them for liking you on your worst days and your best days,” she said. “It may just be the bitter side of me, but I’ve never had the cliché Valentine’s Day.”
After interviewing a number of students, only three thought the holiday was worth appreciating.
Senior Ryan Wilson said the holiday is “mostly about greeting card companies making money, [but] it’s not a problem if it makes someone else happy.”
One anonymous student said she is completely head over heels in love with her current boyfriend and that she “loves the day since [I’ve] met [my] ‘Mr. Right’ who has all of the qualifications [I’ve] been looking for in a boyfriend.”
“Valentine’s Day is a day full of cheer and joy with the addition of heart shaped presents, chocolate, and other delights!” - Armando Valladares
“Valentine’s Day is a day full of cheer and joy with the addition of heart-shaped presents, chocolate and other delights,” said student Armando Valladares.
We all want to be appreciated not only on Valentine’s Day, but the other 364 days of the year. Danny and I unfortunately never made it past the second grade, but the sweeter days of elementary school are so memorable because we were thought of by all of our peers.
It seems like there is so much pressure for a holiday that was simply created to celebrate love in all forms. Dozens of roses and obnoxious stuffed animals weren’t what we were hoping in the second grade, and they aren’t now. All we need to hear is that someone is thinking about us—bonus points if it’s written on a Power Rangers Valentine.
