Sophomore Kathleen Klein and junior Jake Warren talk about their Valentine’s Day as they stroll through Upham Arch, hand in hand. (Damien Watson | The Miami Student)
Valentine's day-students either love it or hate it. For some, it's a day spent with a loved one. For others, it's a day spent sitting with friends, mainly Ben and Jerry.
Sophomore Sarah Workman has been dating her boyfriend for almost a year and a half. For her, Valentine's Day isn't that different from any other day.
"I like spending time with my boo but we hang out all the time anyways," Workman said. "Valentine's Day is mostly great since it's nice to see your man to cook dinner for you."
Sophomore Kasey Meckert said she'll be spending her Valentine's Day a little differently than she did in 2012.
"I had a boyfriend last year and as nice as it was to have someone say 'happy valentine's day' to, I'm more excited to just hang out with all my friends and eat chocolate and watch sappy movies," Meckert said. "There's not pressure that way, and it's just laid back fun."
Junior Erin Necht said she likes Valentine's Day even though she's not in a relationship, and sees the holiday as a chance to relax and eat chocolate.
"I celebrate me on Valentine's Day!" she said.
For first-year Jeremy Fine, the age difference between he and his girlfriend, who is a year older and also attends Miami, kept them apart last Valentine's Day when Fine was still in high school.
"I like that finally being at school together, we can spend time together when it's convenient and she's a short walk away," he said.
In contrast, single senior Katie Kirchner doesn't feel the pressure to have a valentine this year.
Enjoy what you're reading?
Signup for our newsletter
"I don't feel any pressure because it's never been something I've been pressured into by my friends or family." Kirchner said. "However, I'm probably in the minority of senior girls that feels this way."
First-year Allison Brougher said she is one to feel a little pressure around Valentine's Day.
"The more I think about it, the more I think there is pressure," Brougher said. "There doesn't seem to be any disadvantages to having a boyfriend."
Senior Jake Westfall has been dating his girlfriend for almost a year.
"I believe that college relationships are very mature relationships and two people can really get to know and understand each other more than they could have in previous stages of their life," Westfall said. "In college we are all adults and that goes the same for relationships. As I got older I viewed relationships differently because you get to that point where going out to meet random people at a bar or at a social gets old and you want something deeper and more personal."
Sophomore Tyler Saint-Germain and his girlfriend have been dating for a year and he feels there are a lot of advantages to having a college girlfriend.
"You always have a girl wanting to hang out, whether it's a chill Wednesday afternoon or a party on the weekends," Saint-Germain said. "It's also really comforting knowing someone is willing to take care of you when you're sick. The best part is having a best friend to experience the greatest years of your life with."
Mergers are huge at Miami according to the Miami University website, which indicates that of living alumni, 14 percent are married to each other.
Read More
How one professor and her classes are preserving Oxford’s Black history
By Sean Scott | March 20, 2024Jazma Sutton, an assistant professor of history, teaches The Black Midwest (HST 350Q) and Black Women in America (HST 450D) classes. In both courses, she has students working with the Smith Library of Regional History and Miami’s archives to document and preserve Black history in Oxford.
Miami faculty members recount Freedom Summer in new documentary
By Luke Macy | February 25, 2022After seven years of work, “Training for Freedom,” a documentary highlighting Oxford’s involvement in the Freedom Summer of 1964, premiered on PBS Western Reserve on Valentine’s Day.
“Documenting the COVID-19 Pandemic”: History in the making
By Alice Momany | August 29, 2021In March 2020, Miami University’s archives launched “Documenting the COVID-19 Pandemic,” a collection focused on life during the COVID-19 pandemic.