Layne Thompson – LRHS News

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – “Valentine’s Day stinks!” or “Valentine’s Day is great!” Guess which statement is made by a single person.

February 14 can be a difficult day for anyone. Those in a relationship stress over the perfect gift while those not in a relationship have to put up with all the sappy couples.

For the single ladies, guys too, remember that it’s just a holiday. It’s not even a big holiday either, just something to occupy the time between Christmas and Easter. Go out and do something on Valentines Day, go to a movie with your best friends or find a fun activity to do.

Treat yourself to a nice dinner and some frozen yogurt. Don’t stay in by yourself gorging yourself with popcorn and crying to sappy movies.

For the lucky ones that happen to be in a relationship on Valentines Day, just have fun with it. Plan a fun date with your boyfriend/girlfriend and exchange cheesy gifts. Try to do an activity you don’t normally do, just to switch it up. You can go watch the sunset at the beach or try going to a new restaurant. It’s a minor holiday so don’t go blowing obscene amounts of money on gifts and save those for birthdays and Christmas.

Guys trying to impress their ladies this Valentine’s Day can’t go wrong with gigantic teddy bears.

“I’ve always wanted a guy to get me one of those giant bears you can get at Walmart,” said Sophomore Sierra Camuto.

They’re inexpensive and girls find them to die for. Don’t go all out on Valentines Day because then you’ll have to top it each holiday and soon it will get to be too much. Do just enough to make your lady swoon but don’t go over board. Chocolate and jewelry are also fantastic presents for your girl. As girls we love something sweet and something shiny.

Lakewood Ranch High School conducted a compatibility test to find the perfect match either in your grade or the whole school. It can also find people you’d be compatible friends with. All you need to do is fill out the pink for you got in first period, then pay a small price when they come out with the results.

Valentine’s Day is actually a church sanctioned holiday, as Pope Gelasius deemed February 14 St. Valentine’s Day in the late fifth century. According to legend, St. Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl, who may have been his jailor’s daughter, who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today. So of course card and chocolate companies had to take advantage of it.

So remember, it’s just a holiday, go do something different than your usual, and do enough but not too much. Have a happy Valentines Day!