By: Madison Rosenberg, Follow South Jersey Community Journalist
SOUTH JERSEY – While some South Jerseyans prepared to celebrate Valentine’s Day with the love they share with their partners, others still appreciate the occasion for what it is, even if they aren’t in a relationship.
Flowers, gifts, and dinner dates are all on the menu each Valentine’s Day, but some residents are concerned about the growing costs of these traditions. The holiday gives people a chance to lean into their romantic sides and make their partners feel special. Having a new partner and celebrating Valentine’s Day together for the first time can make the occasion memorable.
Rowan University student Hayden Fugee highly anticipates Valentine’s Day this year with his new relationship.
“I didn’t like Valentine’s Day before, but I’m kind of in my first actual, functional relationship,” Fugee said. “I’m so excited to spend Valentine’s Day with her.”
Although his excitement was evident, Fugee expressed concern about how much money was spent in preparation for the holiday.
“I really like buying gifts. I just hate the prices of some of them,” Fugee said. “I feel like if you’re just trying to get basic, Valentine’s themed stuff, they up the price for everything, and it’s not fun.”
Despite his concerns, Fugee’s plans are set for the weekend, and his excitement is anything but dampened.
“I’m going to take her to this place I’ve been looking at for months, and I ordered her gifts a long time ago. So it’s all set.”
While Fugee plans to spend Valentine’s Day in celebration of his relationship, others plan to enjoy the day regardless of whether they’re single or not. Valentine’s Day spent being single doesn’t have to be sad, and Rowan University student Chris Otto appreciates the sentiments and traditions behind the holiday, even if he isn’t in a relationship.
“I love Valentine’s Day, I think I’ve always loved Valentine’s Day,” Otto said. “That’s the day you can completely celebrate love and romance. Love doesn’t always have to be romantic. Just celebrating love in general.”
Otto says he admires seeing others celebrate their special day, regardless of whether or not he participates.
“I’ll be working on Valentine’s Day, and I’ll just be seeing people out and about all day, and it’s nice to see them just be with each other, and knowing that this is an extra special day for them. It just makes me happy to know that.”
A day commemorating love doesn’t have to be a couples-only event. Sometimes, self-love is the best kind of love, and being able to celebrate that is equally as important as celebrating the love between two people. Millville resident Mackenzie Moore says that although she doesn’t have plans, she isn’t letting the day go to waste.
“I don’t have any plans for the day,” Moore said. “Actually, I’m gonna chill. That’s my plan. I might go and get myself some chocolates, if I’m feeling spontaneous.”
According to Moore, celebrating love manifests itself in a different way for her on Valentine’s Day, and it can be that way for others, too.
“Valentine’s Day is about loving, but you can always love yourself first,” Moore said. “That’s what I’m gonna do that day. Even if I don’t have a partner, or if anyone doesn’t have a partner. It can still be good.”
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