For some people, February 14th is a day of heart-shaped chocolates, handwritten cards, and hugs. For others, it’s a national day of “don’t forget you’re single.” Valentine’s Day brings about an annual tug-of-war between good and bad feelings towards this day of feelings. So, how does BSM feel about V-Day?

Senior Jackson Sando has nothing but love for this holiday. “It’s a good day…in elementary school, one of my favorite things to do was make the valentine boxes and see everyone’s different designs. I want to bring that to high school. People think the day is all about people you date, but I think it’s about everyone you love, like your parents, and stuff like that,” Sando said.

Many BSM students can probably attest to the nostalgic memories of carefully transporting a painted cardboard box with their name scrawled across the top in Crayola marker to their elementary school the week of Valentine’s Day. For a lot of people, this could very well have been the peak of Valentine’s Day. The transition from receiving paper hearts with Jolly Ranchers taped to them from your classmates to painfully scrolling through Instagram pictures of happy couples on February 14th isn’t sweet, and it’s no wonder why some people feel negatively towards the holiday. BSM Spanish teacher Mary Murray recalled her thoughts on Valentine’s Day as a high schooler. “I used to hate it, because back in my day there was no such thing as galentine’s day, so if you didn’t have a valentine, it was like ‘screw you no one loves you,’” Murray said.

Murray mentioned the famous “galentine’s day.” Whether you enjoy a girls night composed of red velvet cake baking and ex-boyfriend slandering or not, it’s easy to agree that this twist makes celebrating Valentine’s Day more inclusive to singles. Her current opinion has changed due to the modern changes of the holiday. “I also think it’s way too commercialized…Now I’ll stay at home and cook with my husband. I really don’t like going out on the day because it’s so expensive and so many people are out which ruins the day for me,” Murray said.

Despite it being a more minor holiday, Valentine’s Day invokes many strong emotions. Teachers, students, people in relationships and not–everyone has an opinion. Considering it’s on a Tuesday, it’s safe to say there shouldn’t be too much going on at BSM this February 14th. Besides a few sappy Instagram stories and possibly a heart-shaped sugar cookie from Taher at lunch, V-Day haters shouldn’t have too much to worry about. And for its supporters, good luck with the Valentine card making!