[Author’s Note]: “Jurassic Journalism” is a recurring column centered on previously published articles from The ‘Burnian.
“A Little Hope” was written by alumna Robin Huff, who graduated in 1995 with a degree in English and American literature.
Valentine’s Day — let’s face it — is not always the emotional thrill that it is supposed to be. Not everyone patiently awaits February 14 — the day that love is cherished and exploited. In fact some people dread the day worse than going to the doctor for major surgery. But whether you love Valentine’s Day or hate it — it does make you think irrationally.
Valentine’s Day comic strip that ran in The Blackburnian on Feb. 14, 1992
Suddenly, couples that never once did a romantic mushy thing in their lives are hanging on each other, and reciting poetry to one another in Ding. While your best friend down the hall, who never cried once over a man to your knowledge, is suddenly renting Gone With the Wind and wondering why she doesn’t have a date to the Valentine’s Dance. She also frets about how awful she will feel if she is the only one on the floor who doesn’t receive a bouquet of balloons. Valentine’s Day alters our normal thinking patterns and the quest for love becomes the major goal for February. Why? Why do a few little red and white hearts, once a year, send us into this frenzy?
One just does not know. I too have had to stop myself on occasion from “ooing” and “ahhing” at all of the Valentine’s propaganda like little red teddy bears and hearts that say “I Love You.” But, then I have to stop and rethink what it is I really long for. Happiness, Love, Security, and I realize that I can’t let Valentine’s Day get me down. Because Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love. Even if I have not yet found that love personally, I can still try to appreciate and understand other people’s need to celebrate it. And that someday, the beautiful love they are celebrating will touch me. Sure– it might take me having to write a few hundred sad poems and watching Gone With the Wind for the entire 24 hours, but I might make it through the day; and even find a way to resist making gagging noises at every happy couple I see. Maybe I will somehow find a little hope in other people’s happiness.