Erykah Lofton, library and information science graduate student

Lofton is very open about their distaste for Valentine’s Day. They see Valentine’s Day as a performative holiday where people in relationships have to prove their love through consumption. 

“I see it as a way to put pressure on people’s romantic relationships at the time to make people prove that there’s love or whatever it is by having people go out and spend money,” they said.

They said the holiday feels exclusionary to people like them who are not currently in a relationship. 

Lofton suggests spreading the love throughout the year instead of putting so much pressure on one day.

Listen below to see how Lofton will spend this Valentine’s Day:

Isabella Huss, sophomore environmental conservation biology major

Huss doesn’t like how Valentine’s Day is portrayed in the modern day. 

As a pagan, Huss celebrates Lupercalia from Feb. 13 to 15. The holiday, which some historians believe is the root of our modern Valentine’s tradition, was meant to promote fertility. 

For Huss today, the day may include some rituals and offerings to gods, but she said it is up to the individual to decide how they personally celebrate it. 

Instead of celebrating Valentine’s Day, Huss and her boyfriend prefer to show love anytime. 

“I don’t need a specific day to show love for him and he doesn’t need a specific day to show love for me,” she said. “He can get me flowers any day of the week and it would be just as special to me.” 

Hear more about acts of love in Huss’ relationship below:

Ilene Flaherty, third-year communication design major

Flaherty sees Valentine’s Day as an excuse to sell candy. 

“I think it’s just a day to take advantage of so that different corporations can make a bunch of money,” she said. 

Flaherty prefers celebrating love in important smaller acts such as emotionally supporting a partner, congratulating them on life milestones and giving gifts. 

Instead of celebrating Valentine’s Day, Flaherty believes in showing love for a partner all year round.

“I don’t think we necessarily really need one specific day to celebrate a person we love,” she said. 

Learn how Flaherty felt about Valentine’s Day as a kid here:

Shelby Ovian, December graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology

Ovian said she’s single and bitter when it comes to Valentine’s Day. 

She’s not a fan of the overconsumption that comes with the holiday and would rather appreciate relationships on any day. 

Instead, Ovian suggests healthy communication with partners. 

“I just want people to be happy with whoever they’re with,” she said. “I feel like you really have to get to know someone and get to know what they like and don’t like and their love languages.” 

Hear more about Ovian’s tips for healthy communication here:

Staff story: Katherine Masko, junior public relations major

Masko embraces the day after Valentine’s Day for the discounted candy, but she loathes the day itself. 

She sees the holiday as unimportant and only really celebrated to advance capitalism. 

“We’re just embracing consumerism around Valentine’s Day with candy and new movies and buying the movies and taking people on dates and stuff like that,” she said. “It’s just kind of meh.” 

Masko said her perspective on the holiday has changed since becoming an adult. 

“When I was little I obviously liked it because little kids are consumerists at heart,” she said. “I loved giving Valentine’s to others in elementary school.” 

Hear how Masko prefers to show love below:

Grace Springer is general assignment editor. Contact her at [email protected].