Valentine Time
There is something wrong with my phone; it doesn't have your number in it!
By Chloe Mershimer
The group of girls giggle as they see their friend’s crush approach them in a timid manner. His cheeks glow red as the girls push their love struck friend to the front of the pack, nearly knocking her into the boy. You can feel the tension between them. “Well, don’t you have something to ask her?” one of the girls teased. “Uh, um, ya I do.”
The girl anxiously waits for the boy to pop the question, already knowing exactly how to respond. “Will you be my valentine?” His eyes beam with hope as the words roll off his lips. The girls squeal in excitement as their friend’s cheeks are now burning red. The pair locked eyes. “Yes! Of course I will be your valentine!” He then hands her a yellow rose, her favorite flower, and he walks away happy as can be. She turns back to her friends who are soaking in green envy. The smile never leaves her face for the remainder of the day. Will you be my valentine? The most awaited, and sometimes dreaded, question both boys and girls hear as the fourteenth day of the second month approaches. But the real question is, should we still even ask each other to be our valentines? You could be in a relationship or “talking” to someone, so you are technically already his or her valentine, right? The legend of Saint Valentine began in third century Rome with Valentine serving as a priest. Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families. He then outlawed marriage for all young men. Valentine recognized the injustice the emperor placed on his people and defied his selfish ruler. He continued to perform marriages for young men and women in the shadows of the night and day. He was sentenced to death once his actions were discovered. Another interpretation of the legend says that Saint Valentine was killed for helping Christians escape Roman prisons. When he was imprisoned, he sent the very first valentine greeting himself after falling in love with a young girl who frequently visited the prison. Before his death, Valentine wrote her a final letter and signed “From your valentine,” a phrase still used to this day. Valentine’s Day has been a long standing holiday since the middle eighteenth century. It first started off as simple exchanges of affection between friends and lovers but then grew into something extravagant. In the 1500's, formal valentine messages began circling through communities. It wasn’t until the late 1700's that commercially manufactured cards were being used. The holiday is celebrated in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia, while also in Argentina and South Korea. In the Philippines, it is very common for mass weddings to occur on this day each year. Though it seems like a holiday specifically for people with romantic relationships, the day has expanded to being celebrated between family and friends. Even the younger school children exchange valentines with their classmates. The kids take part in fun activities in place of class on Valentine’s Day or the days leading up to the holiday. There are fun crafts they take home to their parents, and they get to eat an insane amount of candy and decorate their own boxes. As we grow out of our childhood, how could we still be able to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Some say that asking someone to be your valentine is “old school” and “not cool.” Well sorry mister too-kool-for-skool, but most girls want to experience that old school display of affection. Juniors in teacher Maureen Kandray’s first period digital photography class all agreed. Shayla Berger, junior, said, “Even if you are dating, you should still ask them to be your valentine.” So boys and girls, do not be afraid to ask your crush to be your valentine. Boyfriends, girlfriends, do not be shy to participate in this as well. After all, you only live once. Ancient Greeks Know Love
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Cheesy Pick-Up lines to use this Valentine's day
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