Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. To get into the spirit, students bought valentines from student organizations like Lambda Sigma and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia these past two weeks. Selling from tables in Warch Campus Center, both organizations will donate the funds to Harbor House.
Lambda Sigma, an honors society for sophomores, sold valentines for students to have delivered to their friends or crush. Students could pay $1 to send a valentine to someone’s room, $1 to find out who sent the valentine and $1 to buy a “blocking insurance” so that people they send valentines to cannot find out they sent it.
Discussing why someone would buy blocking insurance, sophomore Aedan Gardill said, “Some students like to send playful valentines to [Dean of Students] Curt Lauderdale.” It is also for students who want to be an anonymous lover or secret admirer. Gardill’s favorite activity on Valentine’s Day is a “nice romantic dinner date with his significant other.” He said students should buy from Lambda Sigma because it serves a good cause and is a good feeling.
Sophomore Marlee Mindock said, “Lambda Sigma wants everyone to buy valentines to spread the love during this Winter Term, which can be quite dreary sometimes. We especially want to provide our service for freshmen because one of Lambda Sigma’s goals we are working towards is mentoring the freshman class.” This is the first year that Lambda Sigma has done secret valentines for their Winter Term fundraiser, “but by the looks of how well it’s going, we may initiate it again next year!” she said. Mindock’s favorite thing about Valentine’s Day is being able to do little things for people. “I love to brighten their days a bit more than usual,” she remarked.
Freshman Ellen Jacobson likes celebrating love. “I think we should do it every day,” she said. Her favorite thing about Valentine’s Day is telling people how much they mean to her and hearing the same from them. Her least favorite part is when society loses sight of love for materialism. Even though she does not have much time this year to celebrate, she thinks she will give out valentines to her friends because “it is always nice to tell people how special they are.” She prefers homemade valentines, though store-bought can be just as sweet. “There’s just something about the personalization of homemade valentines,” she said.
Freshman Sarah Woody said she will be spending Valentine’s Day at her home in Madison. Her favorite thing is spreading love, not just for lovers, but also for family and friends. Her least favorite thing is feeling lonely and not having a date. She wishes she can go back to elementary school where everyone received a valentine. She likes receiving homemade cards because they are thoughtful and it is the thought that counts. In one word, Valentine’s Day to Woody is “love.”
Senior Justin Coyne and sophomore Izzy Yellen from Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia are selling “Valen-grams.” You find one of your favorite symphonies and for $3, they will sing for whoever you want them to sing to. The songs you can choose from are “Kiss the Girl” from “The Little Mermaid” and five cheesy barber shop quartet songs. For Yellen, Valentine’s Day is “a time to examine friendships and relationships, and remember that there are other people who are there for you.” Coyne added, “Some people buy seven or eight songs for one person and it is fun and a good feeling.”