A celebration of love

Friday, February 12, 2010
Valentine's Day is this Sunday. Here, a student makes a homemade card for one of her friends while cards for her classmates are in the background. (Rayma Silvers/Special to the Tribune)

Whether Valentine's Day is celebrated by giving candy or cards or something completely unique, many area residents observe the holiday each year.

According to Joy McGhee, Valentine's Day provides a great opportunity to show her friends and family members that she cares about them.

"Growing up we were taught that Valentine's Day was a day to celebrate all the people in your life that you love." she said. "Valentine's Day certainly isn't very high on my list of favorite holidays, but I find myself each year being a bit excited as it approaches."

McGhee added that although she tries to show her love throughout the year as well, she often gets too busy.

"I look forward to showing my friends and family, even in a small way, how much they mean to me," McGhee said. "I often get busy in life and forget to take time to appreciate the people in my life that I love. Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to do just that."

For both Bob Beckham and Josiah Rhodes, Valentine's Day does not hold as much meaning as it probably does for women and youth.

"Valentine's Day doesn't really impact me much at all. Everything's too pink...," Rhodes said. ". I don't really look forward to it, like I would Christmas or a birthday. So, I think that Valentine's Day is more centered for women rather than men. I guess I view it as a time for guys to show their significant other how much they love them."

Beckham said, "Valentine's Day is not such a big deal for me personally. I do think it is perhaps more important to the younger generation... and I feel that ladies enjoy this holiday more because they enjoy chocolate more. Jamie (Beckham) and I have been married long enough and know each other well enough that every day is Valentine's Day for us."

McGhee, Beckham and Rhodes all agree that chocolate is a anticipated Valentine's Day gift for both men and women. For men, Beckham suggests giving candy, golf equipment or "stuff for outdoors."

According to McGhee, men have a variety of gifts they can purchase for the women in their lives.

"I'm probably a typical girly girl and love the traditional flowers and chocolate for Valentine's Day. I think that a special night out, jewelry, scented candles and lotions, and music are also great Valentine's Day gifts," she said.

However Rhodes said he would be happy to receive a Valentine's Day gift that cannot be purchased in a store.

"Maybe it's not a tangible gift that's as important to me as someone just telling me they're there for me," he said.

According to MyDearValentine.com, candy was one of the first gifts given on Valentine's Day with the most common being chocolates in heart-shaped boxes. About one billion Valentine's Day cards are sent across the nation each year. In addition, children and family members exchange cards with those they come into contact with each day, the Web site said.

"Teachers receive the most Valentine's Day cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, and then, sweethearts," the Web site said. "Children between ages six to 10 exchange more than 650 million Valentine's cards with teachers, classmates, and family members."