Valentine’s Day:
BEST & WORST EXPERIENCES
THE DAY of couples, chocolate and flowers is upon us, so this year Youthlink has conducted a vox pop to find out about your best or worst Valentine’s Day experience. Let the experiences begin!
Kelshaire Ellis, 19: My worst Valentine’s Day
“Next to Christmas, I always look forward to Valentine’s Day regardless of any situation I’m in, but February 13, 2016, was one of the worst days of my life, which then led to my worst Valentine’s Day. I had made plans to meet up with my boyfriend, a boy I had known for about three years or so. We had made these plans from December and everything was in place for these plans to be successful.
“My best friend and I are always pranking people, so we decided to prank my boyfriend. I gave her his number and told her to act as if she was a random girl who came across his number in her phone and decided to message him. She did exactly that. Every detail of their conversation she screenshot it and sent me. She asked him if he had a girlfriend and his response was ‘NO’, and I was shocked out of my pants that evening.
“How could he disown me? Am I not enough? I know he has done this before ’cause he speaks to countless females, right? These were the questions I asked myself. I then forwarded the screenshots and told him that it’s over. I cried from that day straight into Valentine’s Day. I even had an exam on that day, which I was too confused and hurt to study for, and I failed. That was an experience I hope not to have again.”
Kasheka Thomas, 20: The best Valentine’s Day I’ve ever had
“My best friend and I did everything and went everywhere together. We really know how to turn up. Valentine’s Day was approaching and we had plans to go to the movies because we both didn’t have a Valentine.
“Even though we lived close to each other, he said that I should meet him at Carib because he’s gonna be busy, and I was too caught up by the fact that Valentine’s Day was the next day and what had happened the last Valentine’s Day with my ex.
“I got ready; of course, I was late, like always. I saw him buying the tickets when I arrived. ‘Yuh eva late ennuh, my girl. Jah know’. “This was what he blasted me with. I went beside him and then we laughed ’cause we both knew that that was never going to change. After the movies we decided to get something to eat in New Kingston, then we went home.
“He walked me home and, normally, he would have just told Mommy bye, chatted a little in the living room and then left. However, as I reached my room door, my sister came and grabbed my face and I felt him rush in my room. Then she moved her hand and there he was, standing beside my bed, which was filled with red-andwhite balloons and chocolates, along with a huge teddy bear. Tears filled my eyes and he ran over to me, saying that I must not cry and gave me a card. It said, ‘Kelly, I’ve known you for years now. Words can’t explain how much I love and care for you, but my actions will’. I read it out aloud, then he went on his knee and I started crying even harder when he said, ‘Will you be mine?’ I didn’t know what to say, and my sister, who was videoing the whole thing, shouted, ‘Say yes, big head!’ That was it; I was now my best friend’s girlfriend, and from that day on I was more than happy.”
Valentine’s Day should not be the only time you show your significant other you appreciate his or her love. It should be shown every day, not just on special occasions like birthday, anniversaries or during the holiday season.
Valentine’s Day, if you have a special someone (or a secret admirer), is just a chance to prove your love with all means to impress, whether it’s with a bottle of wine, a sweet weekend getaway, jewellery, body care items or perfume. The main attraction of that day is a red rose with chocolate; those are a girl’s best friend on that day.
Valentine’s Day is best spent with someone you love, creating memories together and gathering your greatest romantic experience in order to show your love to each other. The worst thing is your significant other stating he does not celebrate the day. Then and there, he makes it clear your feelings are irrelevant; worse if it’s a day you generally look forward to. You make plans for something special but end up hearing he would rather hang with his friends when, clearly, the day was meant for couples. That is clear neglect. I do hope no one who really cares for this day goes through this experience.