Valentine’s Day, or the Feast of St. Valentine, is celebrated on Feb. 14, every year since 496 AD. The Feast was established for Saint Valentine of Rome, who died on that date in 269 at the hands of Emperor Claudius II, for uniting a couple that was Christian, at a time when the Roman Empire was persecuting Christians. With the beloved holiday, now, full of red hearts, roses, and chocolate, rapidly approaching people are preparing their plans for that day. Some of these people don’t necessarily have dates, rather plans with their friends. These students rather spend the day being with people they truly love than spending the day being sad that they are alone. 

“I think you can have fun either way on Valentine’s Day, however some people who don’t have someone that close can feel left out, especially if their friends do have someone to spend it with,”  Cheyenne Kanakares, 10, said. It’s one of those days that can make you feel upset about not being able to spend the day with someone you’d want to, but you can also get creative with what you do and spend it with friends.”

That creativity to what you can do on Valentine’s Day expands to those who are hanging out with friends, people can be going to concerts, simply just going out to eat, going to a party, and other fun activities to celebrate Valentine’s day.

“I always thought of it [Valentine’s Day] to not just be like celebrating your significant other but also just the people you love in general. My parents always get us candy and stuff like that, and I spend the day with my friends,” Ashley Pahl, 10, said.

Some people would rather stay home, then go out with friends for the day, thinking it wouldn’t be as much fun as it would be if there was a significant other there.

“I feel like it means more to have someone that you’re close to, to spend the day with. You can spend it with friends, but having that person who you kind of connect to at a different level just makes things seem more special,” Kanakares said.

Overall, the day can be plenty of fun depending on the mindset people have going into it, and how close they are with their friends, or whomever they’ve decided to spend the day with.

“I think it depends on how close you are with that person [the one you’re spending the day with]. If it is a new relationship then it might be awkward and less fun, but if it is like a long term and you are super close then I think it can be fun,” Pahl said.