Note: A picture that was included with this story when it was originally posted has been removed.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. There are so many different opinions on it ranging from hatred to adoration.

First, there are the people that like it, usually referred as the “romantics.” These people and couples are the ones that are all “mushy mushy” with each other. They are inseparable, walking with each other to every class of the day.

Senior Tori Salzwedel (who has been in a relationship for over two years) thinks that Valentine’s Day is a great holiday.

“It shows you that you are loved, whether it is from a friend, a sibling, a boyfriend/girlfriend or parent it shows you that no matter what you are loved very much,” she said.

Senior Noah Greenberg also loves getting to spend quality time with his girlfriend.

“I think Valentine’s Day is a special time for a person and their special someone. I’ve never had a bad experience with it, and I think it’d be pretty hard to have one. It’s all about happiness! That’s the most important thing, especially for a couple. Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be complex and stressful at all,” he said.

Sophomore Nikki Poulos loves to spoil her boyfriend and be all cute with him.

“Having a boyfriend on Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity for me to buy all the cute gifts and candy for him. Also it’s really special to have someone to spend time and celebrate with,” Poulos said.

Junior Jimmy Keefe thinks that Valentine’s Day is an “overall pretty solid day.”

“Getting each other little gifts and candy is always a fun time. On the other hand, if you are single and ready to mingle, it is a great day to spend looking for that person because everyone is always wanting someone to love and be with,” he said.

Junior Lily Liermann’s liking of Valentine’s Day varies with her romantic situation.

“I like it when I’m dating someone but otherwise it’s kind of lonely and you really want someone to tell you that they like you since it’s such a romantic day! Normally on Valentine’s Day I go to a nice dinner with my parents. To me Valentine’s Day is more about family than a boy,” she said.

Next, there are the people that are indifferent about Valentine’s Day–they don’t love it, but they don’t hate it. Senior Isi Ennis is a perfect example of this.

“I just feel neutral about it [Valentine’s Day]. Like if you’re in a relationship, go celebrate it. If not, then go do something with friends!” Ennis said

Another example of a person who doesn’t really care about Valentine’s Day is senior Grace Patterson.

“I kind of think it’s [Valentine’s Day] overrated. I just think some people make it a bigger deal than it is and it’s kind of just a random day to show love you could show any day,” she said.

Finally, there are the people that kind of like it, but also don’t really like it.

Junior Jonathan Bazar feels as though Valentine’s Day is almost equally as negative as positive.

“It’s nice to have someone who means that much to you but in my opinion, everyday should be like Valentine’s Day if you’re in a relationship. There shouldn’t just be ONE day a year dedicated to love and relationships. For the ones that Valentine’s Day appeals to, it should be everyday where they’re compassionate and loving. And that leads me to the point of Valentine’s Day being just another annoying, inconvenient day. Having all of the hearts and feelings during the day can be overwhelming and bothersome…Love and affection can be an annoyance to people. And when there’s an entire day dedicated to it, people are bound to dislike it,” Bazar said.

Junior Mia Hollingsworth thinks Valentine’s Day is sometimes overrated and people shouldn’t get worked up about it because it is just a random holiday.

“People should always be sweet to the person they’re in a relationship with. But at the same time, it’s a great opportunity to spend quality time with each other and show your feelings,” she said.

Senior Griffin Maldonado also agrees that there are some ups and some downs to Valentine’s Day.

“[It is] good in the sense that for couples it’s a nice night to go out and have an amazing night, be ‘in love’ or what have you. But on the other hand for single people, it’s just another enhanced day that they have to sit and know they don’t have anyone at that moment. Just depends on your situation,” he said.

Senior Olivia Incardona thinks Valentine’s Day is overrated.

“I do like that there is one day out of the year dedicated to expressing your love to the ones that matter most. I don’t think Valentine’s Day has to be just about couples, but about your friends and family as well!” Incardona said.

Senior Justin Jost thinks Valentine’s Day is just like any other day.

“For someone that is dating someone, it’s fun. You get free candy,” he said.

Senior Matt Reed thinks Valentine’s Day seems “more like a National PDA day.”

“I feel that if you’re spending it with someone it is a nice holiday… I guess if I was in a relationship with Carrie Underwood, it would be my favorite holiday by far,” Reed said.

Finally, there are the self-proclaimed “forever alone” people.

Junior Hannah Styler jokes that Valentine’s Day is a reminder of her “forever aloneness.”

“I mean I once got chocolates from my mom, if that counts as a good experience. Back in my prime of middle school, I got a teddy bear and chocolates from a boy but we broke up like a week later and that was my last valentine from a boy,” Styler said.

Many couples shared with Drops of Ink what they are planning to do or what they have done on that special day of February 14.

Juniors Shannon Miller and Sam Kratzer (dating for a year and nine months) love to give each other presents to celebrate their Valentine’s Day.

“In the past I’ve gotten Sam super cool cards like this one mom card with some cool removable magnets that he really liked (along with candy and gift cards to his favorite restaurants) and he got me some flowers and Portillo’s chocolate cake and a bear which brought me great joy last year!” Miller said.

Seniors Incardona and boyfriend Ryan Borgeson (dating for a year and a half ) love to do the traditional Valentine’s Day dinner.

“Me and Chunko always do something fun on Valentine’s Day, like go to a great dinner and just hang out all night. But we don’t do anything super extravagant, we just like to hang out and enjoy each other’s company! We love this fondue restaurant in the city called Geja’s. It’s delicious and a really fun atmosphere. We went there last year on V-day so we’re planning on making it a tradition and going again!” Incardona said.

Juniors Sara Hoult and Jack Murphy (dating for almost two years now) don’t do anything too special for Valentine’s Day.

“Valentine’s Day is fun but we don’t make it a huge deal. Like last year we didn’t get each other presents or anything. [Last year] we just went out to dinner and hung out,” Hoult said.

Senior Greenberg and junior Lexi Francke have been together for almost a year. Greenberg thinks just being able to spend time with Franke makes the perfect Valentine’s Day.

“I want to take my beautiful girlfriend out for a nice dinner, then just spend the night with her. Because simply being with her makes me happy!” said Greenberg.