Valentine’s Day is known as the day that all couples get to show off their love to the world, even more so than they usually do. From showering their significant other with declarations of love and gifts – such as chocolates, stuffed animals, and flowers – to going out of their way to watch movies together, or maybe even having a romantic candlelight dinner together. However, there are still a number of ways people can have their own fun and celebrate love without any romance.
First and foremost, just about everyone says they adore their friends and family on Valentine’s Day. Freshman Luluain Thomas is among the many who share this sentiment.
“I love to use Valentine’s Day to show my friends just how much I love and appreciate them,” Thomas said.
Thomas then follows up with fun ways she celebrates with her friends.
“Not to mention it’s such a fun excuse to hangout with your friends, and do stupid cheesy stuff with each other,” Thomas said. “Like watching rom-coms, confessing secrets, eating a bunch of chocolate, and just having an all around fun night.”
Many other CHS students seemed to agree in finding joy and comfort in friends during this holiday. Others found love a little closer to home, like freshman Clara Ranger.
“After hanging out with my friends, I love to be able to be with my family and share love through them,” Ranger said. “As much as I love spending and sharing time with my friends, something feels warmer with my family sometimes. Especially on days like Valentine’s where it’s basically a holiday made for love in any form.”
While friends and family are another way to go during Valentine’s Day, some people get a little more specific. Freshman Ranin Alwisha shares her love for her favorite music artist.
“Personally I adore SZA. Her music is always very good,” Alwisha said. “The songs and all around vibes are pretty comforting. I also think that love can be in the form of appreciation and admiration, and I strongly appreciate and adore her for her skills and the music that we get to listen to because of her talent.”
Showing her love through a strong admiration, Alwisha has started out strong with a new way to look at things to love. Various students at CHS also named a few music artists that they love, including Billie Elish, Saberina Carpenter, Bruno Mars, and The Weekend. However, some found love in a different kind of admiration. Freshman Clara Ranger once again shares her thoughts on actor and celebrity Tom Holland.
“Personally I think that love can also come in forms of celebrity crushes,” Ranger said. “I have had a long standing celebrity crush on Tom Holland. Ever since I saw him in the Spiderman movie I have applauded his acting skills and good looks.”
Many others also found themselves fawning over other actors such as Ryan Reynolds, Emma Stone, Zendaya, Chris Hemswoth, and Chris Pine. While it may seem like things to love ends there, freshman Eysha Hurley shares a story that brings a new perspective on the boundaries of what to love.
“I have many friends and family who I love but personally I love and adore an old pencil of mine,” Hurley said. “I got it around sixth grade. While to others it just looks like another white pencil, to me it is a way to write out strong feelings or essays. It seems silly to others when I show admiration for an inanimate object. But for me it’s like something reliable to look for.”
Who knew the saying beauty is in the eye of the beholder is true? All judgement aside, these forms of appreciation show love doesn’t come in one pre-packaged form. There are many ways to see and express love, whether it is in the form of admiration, attraction, or even seeing love in comfort.
Whether you’re in a relationship with someone, going out to dinner with your friends, or even spending the night with your favorite pencil, there is always someone or something to spend Valentine’s Day with.
