How we're spending Valentines
Sarah Jayne
Vday status: Married
Best candy: Sour Patch Kids- Big Kids
Unbound gift pick: Squish
I grew up in the type of family that flung around “I love you” like throw pillows, so saying those words feels very comfortable to me. I take some time on the 14th to text and call people I love. I’m not too heavy-handed with it, but just sending a quick I LOVE YOU to friends and anyone I know who has lost a partner or family member. It should be more freely said IMO.
It’s a casual affair at home but still something to be recognized. We’ll watch a movie we both know of but haven’t seen (Past watches include Hackers, Silkwood, Julie and Julia, and Blade Runner). There will be pizza, often homemade and sometimes heart-shaped. I don’t believe I could have married someone who didn’t co-conspire with me to eat something sweet after every meal; currently, we're on a Cold Stone kick. From the beginning of our relationship, I insisted on starting low-lift traditions, so we’ve taken a picture every Valentine’s Day. Here's to photo 13 and many more.
Love you all. <3
Love you all. <3
Sam
Vday status: Married
Best candy: Sweethearts
Unbound gift pick: Ollie - the scholar’s choice
On Valentine’s Day my partner and I usually stay in and cook something delicious. Neither of us are particularly sentimental about Valentine’s Day so it’s usually a nice, chill affair. It can be a good time to exchange verbal or handwritten reflections on the year since the past Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day is an odd holiday for me-- I don’t like it very much. When I was single I felt like there was too much pressure around it, and I didn’t like that it made me feel lonely and excluded. My father used to jokingly observe that Hallmark & Hershey invented it to sell more cards & candy. He is right. I’d like to point out that whether you’re single, mingling, mangomouse, poly, or something more esoteric and beautiful than words can contain, February 15th is a good day to get some great deals on candy.
Best candy: Sweethearts
Unbound gift pick: Ollie - the scholar’s choice
On Valentine’s Day my partner and I usually stay in and cook something delicious. Neither of us are particularly sentimental about Valentine’s Day so it’s usually a nice, chill affair. It can be a good time to exchange verbal or handwritten reflections on the year since the past Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day is an odd holiday for me-- I don’t like it very much. When I was single I felt like there was too much pressure around it, and I didn’t like that it made me feel lonely and excluded. My father used to jokingly observe that Hallmark & Hershey invented it to sell more cards & candy. He is right. I’d like to point out that whether you’re single, mingling, mangomouse, poly, or something more esoteric and beautiful than words can contain, February 15th is a good day to get some great deals on candy.
Polly
Vday status: Single
Best candy: Reese's hearts!
Unbound gift pick: Flick
Valentine's Day can make you feel small when you're single, but comparison is the thief of joy and romantic love is NOT the only type of love worth celebrating!
But don't take it from 38 year old me, take it from 13 year old Polly, who wrote in her diary in 2000, "Today is Valentine's Day. I have no Valentine but I realized how much people really do care and I had a cheery day! I am torn between love and life. Although Collin is really sweet and the closer to him I become the more I like to be around him. I feel that 7th grade has been the hardest grade but I feel I have also blossomed so much. And developed my own personality and love."
It's funny how things change but they basically stay the same. I am still just as melodramatic as I was then and despite feeling hopeless about love at times, I've never given up on the belief that it's out there for all of us if we're willing to keep looking for it. So whether you're single or married or somewhere in-between, just keep blossoming and know that you are truly enough just as you are!
... especially you, Collin 😏
But don't take it from 38 year old me, take it from 13 year old Polly, who wrote in her diary in 2000, "Today is Valentine's Day. I have no Valentine but I realized how much people really do care and I had a cheery day! I am torn between love and life. Although Collin is really sweet and the closer to him I become the more I like to be around him. I feel that 7th grade has been the hardest grade but I feel I have also blossomed so much. And developed my own personality and love."
It's funny how things change but they basically stay the same. I am still just as melodramatic as I was then and despite feeling hopeless about love at times, I've never given up on the belief that it's out there for all of us if we're willing to keep looking for it. So whether you're single or married or somewhere in-between, just keep blossoming and know that you are truly enough just as you are!
... especially you, Collin 😏
Maddy
Status: In a relationship
Best candy: I love candy hearts, SORRY!!!
Unbound gift pick: Bender!
I'm someone who can be... a little timid to show affection, but the act of cooking has been a stepping stone for me to ease into it until I feel safe enough to be a little bolder. But as any semi-serious home cook will tell you, there is actually nothing romantic about cooking a meal with someone, because someone is always in someone's way, something isn't being prepped in the way you would do it, and, let's face it — someone (me) is always the designated cook anyway. That's all changed the last few Valentine's Days, though, because my current partner may have me out-chef'd — but that's okay. It's nice to be the one relaxing at the dinner table from time to time :-)
I'm lucky to have friends who celebrate platonic love as much as (if not more than) romantic love. Every year, regardless of relationship status, I'll receive cards and exchange many, many texts with friends expressing how much we love each other. They have seen me through many great loves and brutal heartbreaks and have gotten me to the other side. Apologies to my partner, but I believe my friends are the loves of my life!
Status: In a relationship
Best candy: I love candy hearts, SORRY!!!
Unbound gift pick: Bender!
I'm someone who can be... a little timid to show affection, but the act of cooking has been a stepping stone for me to ease into it until I feel safe enough to be a little bolder. But as any semi-serious home cook will tell you, there is actually nothing romantic about cooking a meal with someone, because someone is always in someone's way, something isn't being prepped in the way you would do it, and, let's face it — someone (me) is always the designated cook anyway. That's all changed the last few Valentine's Days, though, because my current partner may have me out-chef'd — but that's okay. It's nice to be the one relaxing at the dinner table from time to time :-)
I'm lucky to have friends who celebrate platonic love as much as (if not more than) romantic love. Every year, regardless of relationship status, I'll receive cards and exchange many, many texts with friends expressing how much we love each other. They have seen me through many great loves and brutal heartbreaks and have gotten me to the other side. Apologies to my partner, but I believe my friends are the loves of my life!
