By Katherine Kim ’18, Staff Writer

As February approaches, I questioned some teachers about their memories of Valentine’s Day! Valentine’s Day will be celebrated on Friday the 18th this year- remember to wear your pink and red! (Or rainbow…)

K: “Any general thoughts on Valentine’s Day? Do you enjoy it? Do you think it is a legitimate holiday? Et cetera…”

Mrs. Johnston: “I feel that Valentine’s day is fun if you have someone special in your life.”

Miss Graham: “I’m not actually a big fan of Valentine’s day – as a couple my husband and I tend to celebrate our relationship on our anniversary, which feels special to just us, rather than some social obligation to ‘be romantic’. Whatever that means. That said, it can be cute. And if it’s a chance to read excellent poetry, I’m interested.”

Ms. Fitzpatrick: “I enjoy ANY holiday where my husband is obligated to buy me chocolate.”

Ms. Sparacino: “I am not a big fan of Valentine’s Day as it is currently celebrated. Feels a lot like a Hallmark holiday used to create unrealistic standards that reinforce gender stereotypes in relationships. For example, how many men receive flowers on Valentine’s Day?”

K: “What is your favorite thing to receive on Valentine’s Day or sweetest Valentine’s Day gift?”

Mrs. Johnston: “Small box of candy ;-)”

Miss Graham: “Someone once gave me an onion. I know it sounds pretty weird, but it was an incredibly sweet gift, because I’d told him about the Carol Ann Duffy poem “Valentine.” It was very romantic because the poem is an extended metaphor about a loving relationship being like an onion. And certainly original!”

Ms. Fitzpatrick: “See answer above :)”

Ms. Sparacino: “Handwritten note or card from loved ones OR coffee made by my children.”

K: “How did you meet your significant other??”

Mrs. Johnston: “At work.”

Miss Graham: “My husband and I met online. It was a nice way to get to know someone, talking a lot in writing and then on the phone, becoming friends before anything else.”

Ms. Fitzpatrick: “We went to high school together, then college, and then we got married and joined the Peace Corps!”

Ms. Sparacino: “I met him in college while having lunch with mutual friends at the Ratskeller in the student union at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It was love at first sight for me…”

K: “Any Valentine’s Day stories or memories?”

Mrs. Johnston: “My father always gave my mother a big box of candy and my 5 sisters and I a small box of candy, so I have a special memory attached to candy on Valentine’s Day.”

Miss Graham: “My boyfriend once flew 3,000 miles to surprise me with dinner on Valentine’s day. I wasn’t expecting to see him for another month or two, so it was a wonderful surprise. He’s my husband now. :)”

Ms. Fitzpatrick: “For our second Valentine’s Day in the Peace Corps (Nicaragua), my husband brought home a dead rattlesnake… not exactly the most romantic gift in the world!”

K: “Team Pink or Red??”

Mrs. Johnston: “Both – red with pink trim LOL.”

Miss Graham: “Pink! Red! Both! What?”

Ms. Fitzpatrick: “Pink.”

Ms. Sparacino: “Team Rainbow.”