Candles flickered against the window of the small Italian restaurant as snow pressed softly against the glass, blurring the streetlights outside into glowing circles. Inside, the air smelled like garlic and butter, and every table had red roses placed carefully in the center. A nervous laugh broke the quiet as a boy reached too quickly for his water, almost knocking it over, while his date smiled at the heart shaped dessert between them. On Valentine’s Day, love does not always show up in huge, dramatic ways. Sometimes it is in small glances, shared bites of dessert, and two people trying to turn one night into a memory.

“Last Valentine’s Day, we were sitting in this small Italian restaurant while it was snowing outside. There were candles and roses and a great smell of butter in the air,” said Adriana Maenza, Junior, “It wasn’t anything huge or dramatic, but being able to go out and share some time together was all I wanted.”

For many high school couples, that perfect dinner is the dream. But after talking to students around the school, it is clear that Valentine’s Day means something different to everyone. Some care about gifts. Others care more about spending time together. Almost everyone agreed on one thing: effort matters most.

When asked what the most extravagant Valentine’s Day would look like, Kadison Rood, senior, kept it simple.

“Like, a really nice dinner,” Rood said.

Even though a fancy dinner sounds fun, Rood also believes the holiday does not have to cost a lot to be special.

“I mean, spending time together, just staying at home,” Rood said when asked about a low cost way to celebrate.

For her, the perfect gift is not complicated.

“If I could receive only one thing on Valentine’s Day, it would be flowers,” Rood said. “I love receiving flowers, it makes me so happy.”

Others also feel the same way about keeping things thoughtful instead of expensive.

“I would probably like flowers and chocolates the best,” Myla Rose, senior, said. “I think on Valentine’s Day it should be about each other and the love you have for each other instead of materialistic things. Something small like flowers and chocolates could still get the point across. It is the thought that counts and they are trying for something.”

Rose shared that her past Valentine’s Day might not have been typical for some people, but she still enjoyed it.

“Last year, it was just something small, and I would not really have considered it a date because I was with some of my friends and other guys, so it was not a one-on-one thing, but it was really fun. I think everyone should do something for Valentine’s Day and at least go out with their friends if they are not going out with a significant other,” Rose said.

Rose also understands why some people have mixed feelings about the holiday. Some people might have had bad experiences in the past or never done anything special for the day.

“I think that Valentine’s Day can be overrated, but for the most part it is underrated,” Rose said. “If you are not in a relationship, you might look at it as something annoying. But even if you are not in a relationship, I think that the day is just all about love, whatever form you find that in.”

Some students found comfort in the idea of staying in and saving money by planning an at home date and being comfortable in the presence of their own home.

“I think that if you’re trying to be costly that maybe staying in could be a possible idea,” Sami Fares, senior, said. “Maybe getting your girlfriend flowers or setting up candles or something and watching a movie could be fun and still celebrate Valentine’s Day, even if you’re not going out, so you don’t have to spend much money.”

Fares also said what you wear is not the most important part of the night. The whole day is supposed to be about love and sharing the day with people who you love and enjoy spending time with. 

“I would probably be casual myself just because I don’t really dress up that much,” Fares said. “I think what you wear doesn’t really matter and it just depends on what you guys are doing.”

If given the option to choose anything to receive on Valentine’s Day, Fares illustrates an idea that can’t just be wrapped.

“I’d probably just want the time of my girlfriend or even my loved ones and being able to spend the night and day and celebrate in a good way to show love,” Fares said.

When given the question of what the worst date idea may be, it’s not always what it is but what it’s not. Just the thought and effort of trying to make plans for your significant other is enough to show you love them.

“I think that the worst date would probably be just them not doing anything or not trying to do anything special for Valentine’s Day,” Tehya Nye, junior, said. “If you just genuinely do not celebrate it at all, I feel like that could be annoying and contradicting, especially if you are expecting to celebrate it and do something for it. I wouldn’t be very happy if my significant other didn’t at least try to make my day special.”

While Nye appreciates gifts, she thinks experiences are more memorable.

“I think that both can be nice, but honestly, an experience would be more special than a gift,” Nye said. “You can receive a gift anytime, but going out and doing something like dinner or a cute activity could be more fun since it’s a holiday.”

Even though every student had a slightly different opinion, their answers all connect in one way. Valentine’s Day does not have to be over the top to be meaningful. It can be flowers and chocolates. It can be a group of friends going out together. It can be dinner at a restaurant or a movie at home with candles. What really matters is that someone cared enough to plan something.