Love is in the air as HHS prepares for Valentine’s Day, Prom, and all things surrounding love. Whether spending the day with a significant other, friends, or solo, HHS students are finding creative ways to make Feb. 14 meaningful.
For couples, Valentine’s Day is a day of tradition. Big gestures, or keeping it small and intimate, HHS couples look forward to showcasing their love to their partner. From dinner dates to late-night movies, students say the best part is being with someone they care about.
“My ideal Valentine’s date would be a road trip to Colorado. This trip would be special because it would give me and my partner some time to figure out uncomfortable situations together, like spending hours on end in a car,” senior Peyton Pasak said.
Some students at HHS are going solo this Valentine’s Day and it is important to remember that there is nothing wrong with that. Self-love is key to celebrating a fun Valentine’s Day alone. Plan a date with you BFF, buy yourself flowers and chocolate, or run a nice warm bath with a rose scented bath bomb. Don’t be sad to be alone this Valentine’s Day because you can still turn this holiday into something fun and romantic.
“I’ve been single for 16 of the 18 years of my life on valentines day. Although some people may see this as lonely times, my parents have always made sure that I feel loved by giving me candy and little gifts,” senior Payton Mathison said.
With Valentine’s Day and dates comes red and green flags and the importance of recognizing them so you can find the perfect partner. Some common red flags include: controlling behavior, dishonesty, dismissing your feelings and lack of accountability. While some green flags are: open communication, mutual respect and feeling safe to be yourself. If you notice any repeating red flags in your partner, you might want to take a step back and reflect on your relationship and decide if you’re in the best situation to be in. If you notice any red flags in yourself, practice working on more communication and having a more understanding attitude.
“One red flag is when a guy is too much of a “mommy’s boy,” but a green flag would be when a guy knows what he wants to do with his life and is passionate about something,” senior Nadia Evans said.
Another important thing in understanding relationships is understanding each other’s love languages. Some people like words of affirmation, while others value quality time, acts of service, gifts or physical touch. Knowing how someone expresses affection can help avoid misunderstandings and build healthier relationships. If you and your partner have different love languages, try to be understanding of each other and adapt to each other’s languages. This can be a kind gesture/sacrifice to make for your partner that they will appreciate. For example, if you know your significant other loves gifts, maybe this Valentine’s Day, buy them a big teddy bear with flowers.
“The best way for people to show they care for me is through acts of service. People’s actions can go a long way, and this means a lot in my heart when people are willing to serve me,” Mathison said.
As Feb. 14 approaches, HHS students shape the holiday in their own way, whether that means planning the perfect date, focusing on personal growth or enjoying stuffing their face with chocolate with friends. Valentine’s Day at HHS is less about perfection and more about celebrating the ways love shows up in high school life.
“Valentines Day means to love unconditionally,” Pasak said.
