Your guide to the perfect Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is supposed to be all candy and roses, but for many CSUS students it's more of a stressful thorn in their side. Some students don't have anyone to spend Valentine's Day with, or anybody who wants to be original and romantic. This can be quite a challenge, but some know from experience what romance is all about.

Flowers are certainly nice to receive, but they're standard. However, when given creatively, they take on a new meaning. Michelle Smith, a senior majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences, remembers when she received roses one Valentine's Day: “My boyfriend brought me eleven red roses and one white rose, and he said, 'Out of the whole bunch, there's only one like you.'”

James May, a graduate student studying English, recalls a once-in-a-lifetime Valentine gift: “I had just broken up with my girlfriend and I was walking around the Chico State campus. Suddenly this beautiful girl walked up out of nowhere, handed me four roses and her phone number, and gave me a kiss on the cheek.” Although this woman's gutsy maneuver is not suggested for the shy, a surprise like this won't soon be forgotten by an intended sweetheart!

For those in a more established relationship, a mini-trip might be a great way to get removed from it all and focus on couplehood. It doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate. Take Nick Egan, a junior Anthropology major. Last Valentine's Day he took his sweetie out to dinner and then for a surprise drive. “I got her a CD she'd been wanting and played it in the car. We went up to a cabin in the Foothills and spent the night stargazing and relaxing in front of a fire.” See, with just a little creativity and imagination a memorable event can be cherished forever.

If there happens to be some extra cash lying around for Valentine's Day, treat her (or him) right! Erin Gallup, a junior majoring in Journalism, says the most she's ever received on Valentine's Day is flowers and dinner, but her ultimate Valentine's Day celebration would be to go to the beach in San Francisco with her boyfriend, have dinner and stay in an elegant hotel. “Or if you want to go in the other direction,” said Gallup, “you can go to Tahoe and ski, or go snowmobiling around the lake if you want to be snuggly.”

Sara Kinsey, a Computer Science junior, would also like a dream getaway with her husband: “I think I'd like to go someplace like one of those Fantasy Inns and have a really romantic night; something unusual.”

There are also those students whose Valentine's Day wishes are rather basic. Julian Irvine, a senior studying Communications, says his Valentine's Day wish would be “to have a girlfriend, for starters.”

Nine out of 10 “romance experts” agree -- this Valentine's Day, don't let lack of a great idea hold you back from sweeping your sweetheart off his or her feet. Just think about what romantic gestures you would like done for you, and then do them for your valentine. Copy someone else's ideas if you have to -- as long as it's unique and from the heart, any worthy sweetheart will love it.

For comments or suggestions contact us at hornetlife@csus.edu