This Monday, New Haven welcomed its third pandemic Valentine’s Day amid some of the city’s lowest temperatures recorded in 2022. As students of the University, however, we are so used to the niche definitions and scope of “love, sex and dating at Yale” that we forget that romance extends beyond college relationships and hookups. We forget that Feb. 14 takes on new meanings — new layers — for different people across age groups and cultures. Curious as to what these layers are, I scootered around New Haven streets on Tuesday — from Dixwell to Westville — asking how residents celebrated —or did not celebrate — Valentine’s Day. Here were some of their responses:
***
Mental group chat created.
Brian Zhang changed the conversation name to “Valentine’s Day: New Havener Edition.”
Brian Zhang changed the chat wallpaper to “valentine pink.”
Brian Zhang added Austin Orser, Robinik Walton, Peter Crumlish, Aaron Knox, Shannon Lee, Robert Melendez and Robinik Walton — all city residents.
Me: Good afternoon everyone! How was your Valentine’s Day?
Peter Crumlish: My wife and I made Valentine gift packs for our kids, and we actually delivered them yesterday. And then she surprised me when I came home and she gave Bridie a new comfy dog bed, and she gave me a pair of fluffy slippers.
Willie Holly: Stayed in my house, took care of me, and called all my kids and wished them a very, very happy Valentine’s Day.
Aaron Knox: Actually for Valentine’s Day, I worked for Edible Arrangements down here on Chapel at Downtown. I was helping them do a lot of stuff — [there were] a lot of orders yesterday, so we had to get that done for Valentine’s Day.
Robert Melendez: I went to my five-year-old daughter’s birthday party at the Holiday Inn in Southington. We did a pool party.
Shannon Lee: I went to work just like any other day. Being that I’m single and all, it doesn’t really faze me. It’s just another day.
Austin Orser: I worked and then went home and had dinner with my wife.
Robinik Walton: I spent time with my family, … watch[ing] movies and cook[ing] dinner.
James Hillhouse High School students have entered the chat.
Me: Hey! We were just sharing what we all did for Valentine’s Day.
Cassidy Palifka: I got three jumbo cards for a friend … and I made cookies for everyone.
Michelle Vidal: We did celebrate it by going to my friend’s last game for basketball.
Me: Thanks everyone! Would anyone be comfortable with sharing what Valentine’s Day means to them?
Willie Holly: It means calmness and good cheers for everybody all around. Good cheers for everybody who’s not here and good cheers for those that are here.
Austin Orser: Valentine’s Day is just another day to celebrate the love you have for somebody 365 days a year.
James Edward: I think it’s a symbol of love – a lot of love for a lot of people.
Robinik Walton: Valentine’s Day means spending time with the people that you love. It’s not all about gifts. To me, it’s really getting the time with your family. Your family … could be your friends, your girlfriend, [or] your boyfriend. It could be whoever you love the most.
Peter Crumlish: It means a time to show people love universally — it’s not just romantic.
Aaron Knox: I think personally for me, I’m 23, but I was raised old-school. I believe that this is about love. Not necessarily about all the gifts or going places or taking your significant other out, [but] just showing them love, being there for them and supporting them. Love your morals and sentimental values as well. It could even be family members if you don’t have a significant other.
Show your Mom you appreciate her.
Show your Daddy you appreciate him.
It’s about love.
Me: ❤️