CARA VAN METER
Living Editor
If you were to peruse the archived issues of the Online Graphic or the hard copies in the dark closet we so fondly refer to as the Morgue, you might be tempted to think that Pepperdine journalists have something against Valentine’s Day. The list of former “V-day” articles includes titles like “How to pretend you had a good Valentine’s Day (even though you really didn’t)” and “Challenging the Stigma of St. Valentine’s Day.” You might begin to believe Pepperdine students in general are anti-Valentine’s Day. As a largely single student population, we have every right to hate this mushy Hallmark hoax, right?
Wrong. It’s time for students to make a stand and take back Valentine’s Day. It’s a holiday to celebrate the love in your life — there are no stipulations that it has to be romantic love. Why not celebrate the love you have for your family and friends? If you’re not sure how to go about reconciling with Valentine’s Day, just follow these four simple steps to secure your very own Valentine now and ensure a V-day full of smiles.
Time is somewhat limited since Valentine’s Day is Tuesday — less than a week away. So it’s best to start now.
First, look around you and choose a worthy individual. It can be a friend, a suitemate, a family member, a significant other, a new crush or even just an acquaintance or classmate who you think is a nice person.
It’s best to choose someone who you know fairly well. After all, you don’t want to choose a Valentine based solely on a mysterious demeanor and end up giving a heart-shaped peanut patty only to discover that he or she is allergic to peanuts. Even if you don’t know your Valentine’s life story, you should know at least the basics, including name and major. Remember that it’s OK to have multiple Valentines’ as long as you treat them all equally and they are aware of the situation.
Ask your prospective Valentine or Valentines to be your Valentine. You should be clear about this — don’t beat around the bush, but don’t put on too much pressure either. The main goal is not to leave your Valentine wondering what you just asked. Make it clear that you care about this person and want to celebrate Valentine’s Day with them by exchanging gifts, cards or simply good wishes.
Asking in person is usually best, but in a crunch, requests can also be made on the phone or in an instant messenger conversation. Facebook messages are also an option, but somewhat more risky due to the crucial time element. Don’t wait until the last minute to secure your Valentine. It’s unfair to leave so little time for V-day shopping and preparation. Besides, spending a few days anticipating that gift or card is sometimes half the fun.
On the same note, it is important to plan ahead if you wish to actually spend time with your Valentine on Feb. 14. Find a time that both of you are free to celebrate the occasion — even if it’s just meeting up for a few minutes to grab a cup of coffee and share a conversation. If, however, your V-day dreams are more elaborate than a trip to Starbucks, remember that restaurants, movies and the beach are all likely to be crowded. Make reservations and be on time.
Next, you should find a way to assure your prospective Valentine that you are genuine. Send an e-card or leave a note in his or her student mailbox to let them know that you aren’t just another cheap Valentine. This doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money or shower your Valentine with gifts. Find a simple but effective way to show that you care. Homemade valentines are always a big hit. Make a collage or cut out a big paper heart and add a little glitter. These unique hand-crafted cards are sure to put a big smile on your Valentine’s face and earn you major brownie points at the same time.
Play to your talents. If you find glue stick and glitter too challenging but you’re great with a guitar, serenade your Valentine instead. However, don’t serenade your Valentine at two in the morning or in class. Use common sense when determining how, where and when to employ your creativity. This step can occur anytime and as many times as desired between the initial asking and the actual holiday. Pre-Valentine’s Day attention is a good idea because it keeps your Valentine’s spirits up for the big day.
Finally, when the big day arrives, enjoy it. Don’t worry about whether or not you have a boyfriend or girlfriend. For today, at least, it doesn’t matter. You still have a Valentine. You and your Valentine should take advantage of the occasion by acting particularly nice toward one another. However, in the case of friend or family Valentines, you should not spend your celebration time together griping about the lack of romance in your life and the commercial nature of the holiday. Instead, focus on the bright spots in the day. Celebrate the love you see all around you. After all, there’s no better way to share in it than by spreading it with a smile and a kind word.
02-09-2006
