Favorite Valentine’s treat

Sara: Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Fall and winter are filled with sweet treats; between Halloween and Christmas I can always find something sweet. Around Valentine’s Day my favorite sweet is chocolate covered strawberries, specifically if they’re covered by dark chocolate. The mix of the slightly bitter chocolate with the sweetness of a strawberry is one of the best flavor combinations ever. Although these treats can sometimes be messy, my motto has always been the messier the better.

Payton: Sweethearts Candies

Sweethearts candies are definitely the best treat to have when it comes to Valentine’s Day. While these candies taste great, that is not the true reason you get them because, above all else, the messages written on them are what they are known for. These candies spread love, and when I think of a Valentine’s treat, these are the first that come to mind. These iconic treats are a timeless classic. Their marketing has also been amazing, as they have recently released Sweethearts Situationships, in which they have blurry messages on the hearts to fit the blurry definition of the relationship.

Favorite Rom-Com

Sara: Isn’t it Romantic?

My all-time favorite Romantic Comedy is Isn’t It Romantic? (2019), directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson and starring Rebel Wilson. I’ve never been the biggest romantic or liked the cheesy romance movies, but Wilson’s hilarious take on the typical cheesy romance movie is truly one of the best. I love how she openly criticizes each aspect of the movie while still following all the steps, sometimes unwillingly. Isn’t it Romantic? Is a great watch if you’re in the mood to have a good laugh while staying in the Valentine’s Day Spirit.

Payton: Anyone but You

Rom-coms are my favorite type of movie, and there are just too many to pick just one. From 10 Things I Hate About You to How to Lose a Guy in 10 days to Clueless, I love them all. I feel like there are many 2000’s rom-coms that I love, but in recent years none of the new movies have lived up to them. That is until I saw Anyone But You (2023). I have seen this movie in theaters two times, and given the opportunity, I would see it a third time. Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell could have convinced anyone that they were in love. The chemistry displayed on the screen is what made me, and millions of other people, fall in love with this movie, and it has definitely been my favorite rom-com produced in years.

Favorite Valentine’s Day Tradition 

Sara: A Nice Dinner

Since I was younger, I’ve always enjoyed having a nice, fancy dinner on Valentine’s Day. Well, fancy is a broad term; I’ve always dressed up with my parents, friends, or partner and enjoyed a dinner together. Whether it was at home or out at the Melting Pot, I always got into a nice dress and enjoyed the night. Personally, I prefer the at-home dinners that I’ve started doing more often as I’ve gotten older. It’s a calmer environment and way cheaper than going out.

Payton: Galentines

Valentine’s Day is a time for you to spend with a significant other, or loved ones in general, but throughout the years there has been a special place in my heart for Galentine’s Day. We need to remember to celebrate all the ones we love on Valentines Day, including our friends. My friends and I love to celebrate Galentine’s Day, and it has become my favorite tradition to do on Valentine’s Day. The celebration can be with just one friend or a large group of friends, but either way, it’s a chance to remind each other how much you mean to one another. Tomorrow is not promised, so we must take time to tell the people we love just how much we love them.

Favorite Way to Stay Motivated

Sara: Lists

I’ve always noticed motivation dropping between winter break and spring break, especially this year. My motivation has mostly stemmed from keeping a good GPA for college and scholarships, but another motivator for me has been keeping lists. I’ve always kept a list of what I need to do and the dates they’re due. For me, crossing each thing off feels like an accomplishment and has stayed motivation enough. The lists include more than school work, too. Sometimes I list work, chores, and small tasks — things I can cross off easily and feel accomplished about.

Payton: Keeping College Interested

This is definitely a hard part of the year, and now that I am a senior, I see my motivation dwindling even more each day. I, like many seniors, am already accepted into a college, and I already know my plans for next year, so it is definitely hard to stay motivated. What helps me is to remember that even though I am in a college, they can still look at my final semester GPA, and it’s important to keep showing that they were right to accept me. I also try to plan out certain times each day that I plan to do my homework, so even if I don’t want to do it, I kind of force myself to.