Valentine’s Day originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named ‘Valentine.’ Through later folk traditions, it has become a significant cultural and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world. Valentine’s Day is an annual festival to celebrate romantic love, friendship, and admiration. Every year on February 14th, people celebrate this day by sending messages of love and affection to partners, family and friends. 

We began to interview couples around BPHS, ask more about Valentine’s Day, and their relationship. The first couple was Nelly in 9th grade and Alfredo in 10th grade. They have been in a relationship for one month and met through some friends. One of Nelly’s friends that she had met through P.E. When we asked them about when they knew they were in love Nelly said, “We started talking back in October, I think. We’ve been talking since then. Then he just asked me out in January, so it has been a long time since we’ve been talking. I think it happened during that time.” Alfredo said, “We started talking and texting. Then, during lunch, I sat next to her. I just fell in love.” 

We asked what they think it’s the true meaning of Valentine’s Day and they both said that they think it’s just friendships and relationships. That’s what they think matters the most on Valentine’s Day. In most relationships, partners share a great value they find in each other which makes most relationships work. As we’ve asked Nelly and Alfredo what they value most in each other they responded with, “I think that most of all, we respect each other.” Respect is a key thing to making relationships last along with the values of each other. As Nelly and Alfredo have dated for quite some time now, we’ve asked what their favorite memory of each other has been throughout the time they’ve spent together, in which they replied with, “The best memory was when we hung out at the stadium during break.”

Another truly heartwarming interview was Courtesy and Christians’ relationship in which they’ve been dating for over a year. As respect is a major key to keeping a healthy and long lasting relationship, we found that their relationship was a great example. “I knew I was in love when he showed me that boys can respect me. He was there whenever I needed him. He was one of the closest people near me,” said Courtesy. Over the course of a year, they’ve made many cute memories together including a really special and memorable one for them both. “Last month, when he danced with me for the first time. I think that was really a special, special moment.” said Courtesy as her boyfriend, Christain replied with “I’m going to go with what she said, too. When we danced together. It was at her house and she was having a quince.” 

As we’ve interviewed many couples, we’ve found that respect and value is the key thing in having a good relationship with your partner. Valentine’s Day is known for romance and love celebrated on February 14 by sending messages of love and affection to partners, family and friends.

One couple, Nelly and Alfredo, said, “I think just friendships and relationships. That’s what I think matters most on Valentine’s Day.” The true meaning of Valentine’s Day can be interpreted in many ways. One of which was Courtesy and Christian. They felt the true meaning of Valentine’s Day was, “…to show your gratitude towards your loved ones.”