As the season of love is upon here, and everyone is celebrating Valentine’s Day, students may never consider that they are not the only ones celebrating this holiday.
Teachers also have families and relationships outside of school and find different ways to approach this romantic holiday.
On Valentine’s Day, Religion Teacher Rhys Gadbois has his own way to celebrate. He has two sons and a daughter, so Valentine’s is different than before.
“Whenever we want to go out on a date night or see a movie, it has become more difficult,” Mr. Gadbois commented.
However, he does not mind this change as he said, “I cannot remember a time when being more intentional with your spouse and our time had a negative impact on a relationship.”
Mr. Gadbois’s ideal Valentine’s Day consists of prayer, going on a hike with his wife, going to a Mexican restaurant while his parents watch the kids, and ending the day spending time with his sons and daughter.
Associate Director of Admissions Caroline Adolph said that her ideal Valentine’s is “making a meal together as a family, enjoying a good conversation, playing a board game, and then watching a movie with ice cream sundaes while we all put our phones in another room and enjoy the people around us.”
This is a special Valentine’s Day for newlywed German Teacher Mark Canter. He and his wife were together for 15 years before their recent marriage.
While he does not particularly have plans for Valentine’s Day, he said, “I love to cook, so unless we decide to go somewhere nice for dinner, I’m more than happy to cook something special.”
He has no Valentine’s Day traditions, but he is positive he will come up with one soon. “That’s the thing I like most about being married — making up life as we go along.”
Social Studies Teacher Megan Piercy is also a newlywed and takes on a slow-paced Valentine’s as well. “My husband and I have never really celebrated Valentine’s Day on the exact day. Mostly because our dating anniversary is a few days later, we’ve always just combined the two and gone out to celebrate them together.”
A notable Valentine’s Day for Ms. Piercy was this past year when she and her husband attended a pasta-making class.
“We have been really into making homemade pasta. We love cooking together, and I would love to incorporate that into our future Valentine’s Days,” she commented.
It’s easy to get swept up in the love on Valentine’s Day, so it is important to make sure the the holiday is recognized for what it actually is.
Mrs. Adolph explained, “At the root of Valentine’s Day is love, which is the most beautiful and powerful emotion we experience as humans. Valentine’s Day can become a time to remember that love and express it to those around us.”
At such a young age, love can consume students as people and make them and their relationships, toxic.
“When a girl’s worth is based upon who she is with or what gifts her partner showers her with on a certain day, that becomes toxic. The strongest relationships don’t have to constantly post how great they are. They show each other and the world their strength together and love for one another just by their existence,” added Mrs. Adolph.
At the true root of Valentine’s, though, is St. Valentine. It is important to not lose sight of this and to honor him on this day. St. Valentine was a martyr and was persecuted for his faith. “Dying for faith, now that is what I call love,” Mr. Gadbois added.