On Friday, Valentine’s Day will be celebrated across the country as well as Youngstown State University’s campus. Some students will celebrate the day with their significant other by showering them with gifts to show their admiration.
But for some YSU students, their Valentine’s Day traditions don’t involve dinner dates, flowers and chocolates.
“I like to think of it as ‘GALentine’s’ Day,” said Julia Colecchi, a YSU senior and respiratory care major. “There’s no one else who I would rather spend my Valentine’s Day with than my gals.”
YSU students like Colecchi celebrate their single lifestyle on Valentine’s Day by spending time with their friends and really don’t care that the date Feb. 14 is a day dedicated to love and romance.
Chelsey Zoldan, graduate assistant in the counseling and psychology program at YSU, said that although some students may want to just ignore the traditions of Valentine’s Day completely, there isn’t a direct psychological issue behind their hatred toward the holiday.
“When they see other people in love and happy in a relationship, they want and crave that,” Zoldan said. “It’s only logical. We have all been there at some point in our lives too.”
Colecchi said over the past few years, her Valentine’s Day has consisted of multiple bottles of Barefoot Moscato wine, heart shaped pizzas and reruns of Netflix but refuses to do it alone.
“I’m not going to be depressed and eat a gallon of ice cream and watch The Notebook,” Colecchi said. “I’m going to enjoy myself, and the people I do that best with are my gals. I’m going to have some fun, get into some trouble. That’s what your 20’s are all about: making mistakes and having fun.”
Besides Colechhi, Tori Schuller, a sophomore business management major, has her own single traditions when she celebrates Valentine’s Day.
“It’s my favorite holiday. I like to celebrate, but despite my current relationship status, I really don’t care. I’m going to have fun regardless,” Schuller said. “Usually, we [my girlfriends] all just go and see a cheesy romantic comedy or a new Nicholas Sparks movie. This year, it’s going to be the new one, Endless Love, and I couldn’t be more excited.”
Schuller said that another tradition is one she holds with her mom. Ever since she has been little, she said her mom has gotten her family little gifts to show them how much she loves them on Valentine’s Day and that she will always be there no matter what.
“Even at 20, it’s still a tradition,” Schuller said. “I know I can always count on her no matter what.”
Despite either of their relationship statuses, the two girls vow to make their Valentine’s Day fun, even if their traditions go against the Feb. 14 norm of hanging out with a significant other.
Zoldan said that if she could give any psychological advice this Valentine’s Day, it would be to have fun and enjoy your 20’s.
“Regardless of your status, don’t let it affect you directly,” Zoldan said. “Just have fun and enjoy life. Good things will come your way when you least expect it.”
Colecchi said she can’t wait for Valentine’s Day, because she will celebrate not being tied down in a relationship.
“I have the rest of my life to celebrate with a husband, that’s what marriage is for,” she said. “But right now, my soul mates are my girlfriends.”