Valentine's Day at an average high school is an interesting phenomenon. There are the guys and girls walking around with huge balloon bouquets proclaiming to the entire student body that they are loved. Next, there are kids with smaller gifts - a single rose, a moderate-sized stuffed animal, a small box of candy - who are almost embarrassed to be carrying anything at all - as if they are afraid for anyone to know someone likes them. There are also the kids who have nothing remotely resembling a Valentine and who seem happy with this arrangement, and (finally) the group who have nothing and are miserable about it. (One girl actually told my student teacher on Friday that she wouldn't come to school today because she hates Valentine's Day and all the girls who flaunt their gifts.)
I must admit this year's celebration seemed comparatively modest. Usually, the school is awash with red, pink, and white frills and boys cutting class to make a big show of delivering goodies to girls. It seems the economy has taken its toll on the teenage population as well, since only a couple of kids in each of my classes had large gifts. (Interestingly enough, one told me her parents sent the balloon bouquet - not her boyfriend.) The number of moderate presents was also not as high this year as it has been in the past. In addition, it seems many of these did not come from significant others, but from friends. (One student came bounding in with a nice box of chocolates that her best friend bought her, and she was happily sharing with everyone.) Another little twist came in the form of several kids who had presents from people they didn't like. ("The guy who sent it to me is creepy," Liz told me as I admired her flower arrangement. "And the note's in Chinese, so I can't even read it.")
This year more boys than ever seemed to be toting gifts from girls. One junior was particularly touchy about the fluffy red dog his girlfriend handed him just before first hour. "Now I have to carry it around all day or it will hurt her feelings," he said. "But, my friends are all giving me crap over it because it's so cute." Even Jade was presented with Valentine gifts, though his took the form of a Greenday poster and calendar. (Funny, though, he didn't seem concerned about giving the girl anything in return.)
All in all, February 14 is one of those overly dramatic days that bring huge smiles, nervous twitters, and even tears to high schoolers across America. Of course, like everything in our society (except school where everyone's a winner) it is a competition to see who has the best, most, biggest, brightest, cutest _______ (fill in appropriate gift here). Jeff and I learned long ago that Valentine's Day isn't about spending money so much as spending time. Our celebration is always limited to less than $15 but filled with creativity. (This year, he wrote me a song.) If only we could get the rest of the world to go along, everyone would be happier (and richer).
I must admit this year's celebration seemed comparatively modest. Usually, the school is awash with red, pink, and white frills and boys cutting class to make a big show of delivering goodies to girls. It seems the economy has taken its toll on the teenage population as well, since only a couple of kids in each of my classes had large gifts. (Interestingly enough, one told me her parents sent the balloon bouquet - not her boyfriend.) The number of moderate presents was also not as high this year as it has been in the past. In addition, it seems many of these did not come from significant others, but from friends. (One student came bounding in with a nice box of chocolates that her best friend bought her, and she was happily sharing with everyone.) Another little twist came in the form of several kids who had presents from people they didn't like. ("The guy who sent it to me is creepy," Liz told me as I admired her flower arrangement. "And the note's in Chinese, so I can't even read it.")
This year more boys than ever seemed to be toting gifts from girls. One junior was particularly touchy about the fluffy red dog his girlfriend handed him just before first hour. "Now I have to carry it around all day or it will hurt her feelings," he said. "But, my friends are all giving me crap over it because it's so cute." Even Jade was presented with Valentine gifts, though his took the form of a Greenday poster and calendar. (Funny, though, he didn't seem concerned about giving the girl anything in return.)
All in all, February 14 is one of those overly dramatic days that bring huge smiles, nervous twitters, and even tears to high schoolers across America. Of course, like everything in our society (except school where everyone's a winner) it is a competition to see who has the best, most, biggest, brightest, cutest _______ (fill in appropriate gift here). Jeff and I learned long ago that Valentine's Day isn't about spending money so much as spending time. Our celebration is always limited to less than $15 but filled with creativity. (This year, he wrote me a song.) If only we could get the rest of the world to go along, everyone would be happier (and richer).
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