Valentine’s Day Thoughts From a Male Perspective

Photo by David Talley

Stocking Up — Holiday aisles are full at grocery stores around Lubbock.

Across the aisle from hundreds of Valentine’s Day cards, someone is getting a prescription filled. Stuffed bears, available in every color, line the shelves as people put bell peppers in a shopping basket. Valentine’s Day preparation coexists with regular grocery shopping at Wal-Mart stores around Lubbock in early February.

The shelves are stocked and stores have made it easier for men to select a pre-written card, chocolates, flowers and other gifts for their loved one.

However, not all men are content with pre-packaged Valentine’s Day expressions. Jake Contos-Heidrich, a graduate student studying computer science from Albuquerque, New Mexico, said he prefers a more authentic gift.

“I used to give flowers that my family grew at our house,” he said. “We had roses. It’s something I made with my own hands. I’m really proud of that.”

While homegrown roses are a sweet gift, Contos-Heidrich said, it is most important just to be original.

“I don’t want to just spoil someone one day. I want to spoil them every day.”

Many restaurants will be fully booked, he said, but a home-cooked meal and a small gift are all that are really needed. Besides, he said, there are 364 other days to publicly profess your love for your partner.

“I don’t want to just spoil someone one day,” he said. “I want to spoil them every day. I can make fancy reservations some time when everyone else isn’t there. It’s sweeter that way.”

This year, Contos-Heidrich celebrated and exchanged gifts with his girlfriend early in preparation for previously existing weekend plans. It’s likely then, he said, his Saturday will resemble the Valentine’s Days he had as a single man.

However, spending Valentine’s Day with the guys does not hold as much meaning as it does as those spent in a relationship.

“It was kind of like the Fourth of July for someone who lives in Canada,” he said.

Drew Storm, a senior accounting major from Colorado Springs, Colorado, echoed Contos-Heidrich’s perspective. Storm said it is important to be genuine.

Photo by David Talley

Right Down the Aisle —Although it’s easy to just pick up a generic gift, Jake Contos-Hedrich said it’s always better to come up with a personal gift.

“You don’t have to go to a restaurant just because it’s Valentines Day,” he said. “The sentiment that, ‘I have to take you to a restaurant or buy you chocolate to show you that I care about you,’ isn’t true.”

Kevin Stoker, Ph.D., the associate dean of the College of Media & Communication, said after 33 years of happy marriage, he still enjoys a chance to do something special for his wife.

“I’m not a great romantic,” he said, “but Valentine’s is just a good time to recognize how important my relationship is and focus on my sweetheart.”

In the past, Stoker said, he has not always been successful expressing himself on Valentine’s Day. However, he’s found true effort is enough.

“I’m not a great romantic, but Valentine’s is just a good time to recognize how important my relationship is and focus on my sweetheart.”

“My wife has done some creative things throughout the years that have been fun,” he said. “I’ve tried to do some creative things that have been marginally successful. She appreciates the effort because she knows it’s not always easy for me to plan stuff like that.”

For Drew Storm, the origins of Valentine’s Day are not important. Candy is about to get a sharp discount, he said.

“In general, I think it’s just kind of a randomly made-up holiday,” Storm said, “but there’s no reason not to celebrate a randomly made-up holiday. You can have fun.”

About David Talley

Robert David Talley is a fourth-year student from Decatur, Texas studying journalism and political science. David's interests include cycling and food. After graduating, he hopes to work for a newspaper in Park City, Utah.