Columbia prepares for Valentine's Day

While couples might look for romance, singles celebrate themselves.

By Andrea Kszystyniak

Published Feb. 12, 2009

As Valentine's Day rapidly approaches, couples and those going solo are making plans.

Although most are indifferent to the existence of Valentine's Day, many are still excited to spend a day celebrating the people they love.

Melissa Vought, a first-year graduate student at MU, is one of the many actively pursuing the perfect Valentine's Day.

"My boyfriend wanted to have a bonfire with all of his friends," she said. "I think I'm vetoing that. We went to the grocery store when he announced the bonfire plans, and I gave him a lot of crap because it's really not romantic. He said if I could tell him the reason we celebrate Valentine's Day, he'd buy us dance lessons for the rest of our lives."

Vought said it was easy for people to get caught up in the commercialism of Valentine's Day, but the holiday still has a lot of meaning.

"I appreciate that we have the ability to get married and celebrate our love for each other," Vought said. "We're probably just going to go out for dinner."

Srijana Shrestha, a second year graduate student at MU, said she and her boyfriend just might celebrate the holiday. Shrestha said that she and her boyfriend would use the opportunity to get each other something.

"It's kind of like a reminder that you're loved," Shrestha said.

Places such as Bleu, a new restaurant in downtown Columbia are swamped with celebrating couples for the entirety of the Valentine's Day weekend.

"We've been booked up for two to three weeks now," Bleu owner Travis Tucker said.

The campus flower shop, Tiger Garden, has also been swarming with business.

Employee Michelle Brook said the flower shop, which is in the Agricultural Building, has been about five times busier this week than usual.

"Friday and Saturday it will probably be around 25 times more busy," Brook said.

Even a tattoo shop, the Living Canvas, is stocking up for the holiday.

"We order heart charms for navel jewelry a month before Valentine's Day," said Brian Genne, a body piercer the Living Canvas.

And for those considering getting their lover's name tattooed on your body for this Valentine's Day?

"There is only one of five tattoos artists that will tattoo a name on someone else," Genne said. "We've all been in the industry long enough to know that it almost instantly jinxes a relationship."

For every couple going out on a date, there is a person pledging to swear off Valentine's Day altogether.

"Valentine's Day is a holiday that forces those that aren't romantic to be romantic," senior Kyle Anderson said. "In doing so, it loses its flavor."

As an alternative prescription to the monotony of the holiday, Anderson will be participating in an Anti-Valentine's Party.

He and his friends plan to go to "the most unromantic place ever," the Mississippi Fish Shack, to "celebrate their loneliness." The rules are simple. No dressing up, not looking nice and no dates.

Sophomore Kaitlin Niewoehner also plans to spend the holiday with friends.

"I'm going to a musical and out for dessert with my three future roommates," Niewoehner said. "It's a girl date night. I think it's a nice holiday and I don't like how people make it bad for single people. Single people can appreciate chocolate and love too."