Valentine’s Day is around the corner. Though most people consider this holiday about surface-level romance, commercialized relationships, overpriced roses, cheap CVS teddy bears, chocolate boxes, and countless dramatic displays of affection, the majority of people celebrate Valentine’s Day in their own unique way! Children buy candy grams to pass out to their classes at school — some even have class parties to celebrate. Then overtime, class parties turn into potlucks, dinners, and eventually our beloved Galentine’s day baking sessions.

Senior sisters Isabel and Esther Solorio shared that their mom will either bake or buy them heart-shaped pastries that they eat together to celebrate the holiday. Esther explained, “Even though our tradition is small and simple, it is a great reminder of how much our mom really loves us. We also love getting to see what type of dessert she will pick year after year.”

Senior Anahi Pintado celebrates Valentine’s Day — not just because it is a national holiday — but because this special day also happens to be her birthday! On Feb. 14, 2005, Anahi interrupted her parents Valentine’s Day date by making her grand entrance into the world. Four years later, her parents decided to get married on Valentine’s Day to fully encompass the holiday into their families tradition. Anahi added, “Being a Valentine’s Day baby is special to me because it is a part of who I am, and it’s a part of my family’s story. My mom even made me take Valentine’s Day themed photoshoots every year as a kid so that everyone knew that it was my special day.”

My dad decided that Valentine’s Day had to be special for his only daughter. One day at work while talking with a client, he was informed that Valentine’s Day is a day to show daughters how loved and important they are. In doing so, girls learn that in dating and marriage, the person they choose must treat them as well if not better. So, my adorable father started filling up my entire room with balloons, ordering roses, buying me cookies, and writing me a card every year to show me how much I mean to him! Over time, this tradition has become one that my father and I look forward to every year.

Tori Gomez ’23 also has a Valentine’s Day tradition with a parent, but this time it is her Mom! Every year starting on Feb. 1, Mrs. Gomez begins writing love notes and placing them on her door. Tori added, “Everyday leading up to Valentine’s Day, we get an affirmation or a reminder of how much we are loved by our mom. I love having handwritten notes to keep year after year, and most importantly, I love seeing my siblings faces light up when they recognize how loved they are too.”

See? Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to just be all about the commercialized Target treats and goodies. I hope this Valentine’s Day you can find some inspiration on how to show the special people in your life just how much you love them.