It's that time of year again. Couples prepare to celebrate relationships. Singles complain. Everything mysteriously turns pink and red -- from drugstores to television ads to the halls of elementary schools across the country. Visions of Hallmark's kiss-kiss bears and big red hearts filled with chocolate dance in our heads. It's Valentine's Day.
Unlike other holidays, such as New Years or Independence Day, in which everyone can participate, Valentine's Day seems to be exclusive. When couples get mushy, singles can feel lost in the crowd.
In fact, February 14 can be a thorn in the side of many single people who are reminded of their -- perhaps undesirable -- single state. Consequently, some critics have renamed the holiday "Singles Awareness Day."
Valentine's Day "is either super-uplifting or just makes everyone feel like a complete loser," third-year College student Laura Holland said.
And perhaps it is those "complete loser" types who take the "Clueless'" Cher approach, feeling the need to send themselves flowers and candy in class.
While elementary school Valentine's Day etiquette prevents any student from feeling rejected, by high school there's no such compassion.
The meaning of Valentine's Day is beaten into children's heads from a very early age -- in the form of Smurf and My Little Pony valentines. If you were going to bring valentines to school, you had to bring one for every student in the class. But by high school, no one exchanges little cards anymore -- instead, students move on to Student Council sponsored balloons and flowers.
To raise money for the class, high school students purchase balloons and flowers for friends or significant others to be delivered in homeroom on the fateful day. It seems that everyone sits in homeroom that morning praying for the coveted red carnation.
But judging from University students' reactions, not everyone places such importance on receiving Valentine's gifts.
While some students simply claimed an apathetic attitude, others are blissfully unaware of the holiday.
Second-year Engineering student Ben Israel was a bit confused as to the date.
"Oh ... is it always the 14th?" Israel said as he wrinkled his brow in confusion.
Other students even use Valentine's Day to revel in their singleness.
Fourth-year College student Charles Jansen said a "single status" on Valentine's Day gives him an excuse to save money.
Instead of lamenting his lack of company, Jansen said he is glad because of it.
"I celebrate because I don't have to spend $100 on someone," he said.
Jansen also said he goes out with other single friends while his attached friends are stuck going on a date.
Like Jansen, second-year College student Kat Shea said last year she and 12 of her single friends went out to dinner and a movie.
"We could bond over the fact that you're not the only single one," she said.
Jansen and Shea aren't the only students who see the glass as half full. Fourth-year College student Mahsa Saeidi said she prides herself on making the best out of Valentine's Day. Like Shea, Saeidi goes out with her girlfriends and sends her family cards and gifts.
Saeidi said she never lets herself get upset about her singleness.
"I've actually met people on Valentine's day before," Saeidi said with a laugh.
Saeidi said she likes to focus on her friends and family on Valentine's Day. It seems that singles at the University don't take Valentine's Day as seriously as one would think. But where are the people who get so angry about their single state they egg their ex's house or "accidentally" slit his or her tires?
Somewhat of an answer came from Abigail Seymour, a senior at Virginia Tech. Woody's, a popular bar in Blacksburg, will begin a new tradition this year, Seymour said. Tonight, in the first annual "Shred Your Ex" contest, hopeful winners will air their ex's dirty laundry on stage for 30 seconds, explaining to everyone in the bar what a jerk their ex is, she said. Then the singleton gets to send a picture of his or her ex through the shredder to the sound of cheers from all the other bitter "exes" in attendance. The person with the best sob story will win $100.
Some might consider this celebration to be a bit over the top.
But like Shea pointed out, who can blame these people in a society that worships relationships?
"Our culture is obsessed with fairytale endings," Shea said. "It's everywhere; you can't escape it."
And judging from the plethora of television dating shows, Shea's words seem to ring true. From "Blind Date" to "Elimidate" to "The Bachelorette," everyone seems to be searching for his or her Mr. or Ms. Right.
If everyone wants to find that one person who will make everything perfect and wonderful, it's no wonder Valentine's Day can be so painful. Inevitably, many people will realize they have not yet found this person. Saiedi refuses to buy into this "fairytale ending" idea. "I don't think [Valentine's Day] is supposed to be about a girlfriend or boyfriend," she said.
Recent statistics from www.divorcemag.com suggest that 50 percent of marriages will end in divorce, with approximately 1,163,000 occurring in 1997 alone. These statistics suggest that perhaps there shouldn't be so much focus on the endless pursuit of romantic love. What about family and friends? Instead of lamenting singleness, follow in Saiedi's footsteps and send your parents a gift. Send your friends flowers like Holland will this year. Love is everywhere; go find some for yourself.
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