CRISTINA SOSA/YH

A Valentine's Day primer for those in dire need

As a person who has always given out more Valentines than I have received, all I have to say to you sniveling scaredy cats is go out there and start giving. Let a little Cupid into your hearts, for goodness' sake. You know, they do say "'Tis better to give than to receive," and in my experience this is (almost) true. I mean, why is it so crazy to find pleasure in making other people happy? Come on, it's Valentine's Day, and Valentines make people happy.

Once, when I was in third grade, I gave a Valentine to a boy named "Scott" (names have been changed to protect the innocent). Scott used to pee his pants, and he always smelled a little funny. When it was Valentine's Day and we all had to bring in boxes to keep our Valentines in, he didn't bring a box because he didn't expect to get any. Well, I gave him one of my Snoopy Valentines, and he was sooo happy. Of course, he started following me around on the playground after that, and I think I had one of my friends have a little "chat" with him. I didn't see Scott much after that—but the point is that my little Valentine made his day.

Later, when I was in high school, I had a math teacher who was literally on the verge of a nervous breakdown. He had his lesson plans spelled out at least a semester in advance. He would go crazy if we didn't get everything in that we were supposed to each day, even threatening to take away our precious Channel One time. Well, one Valentine's Day, I gave him one of my Valentines—one that came with Reese's cups. He was so kerflummoxed he didn't know what to say. He just got all red and started muttering something that I assumed was a thank you. Needless to say, I did very well in the class after that.

In contrast, last year was a low point in my history with V-day. It was the first Valentine's Day in which the only thing I got was from my mommy and daddy. Oh wait, I think there was one rose involved somewhere, but it's kind of mixed up in a blur of an econ problem set, Naples and Say Anything. Sigh. I still love the day, but I now realize that I must take some extra measures to ensure I get something out of it. So, on behalf of myself and all the others slighted on this day, I'm giving all of you a little advance warning to go out there and make someone's day.

Flowers are a cliché, though no one's going to refuse them. If you are in Trumbull, Thomas "Cupid" Hooven will be distributing flowers and sentiments on Valentine's Day. I am sure other colleges do something similar (although I'm not sure if they can promise the same red tights). There's the flower guy on the corner of High and Elm St. Go early if you can, because I am sure he's going to be swamped on Monday. Roses are always good—I like the white ones with the pink tips personally—but if you're going with flowers, try being creative, like a lily or something.

Candy, on the other hand, should not be your answer. Conversation hearts are cute, but you don't want to get someone a box of chocolates. I mean, what does that say about the person? "You're sweet, and you're about to gain five pounds"? You can do better.

So what's the solution? Well, nothing says lovin' like a homemade Valentine. I'm sure someone in your sorry history has given you one. You know: something red, shaped like a heart, maybe a "Happy Valentine's Day" on it somewhere.

Or, if you want something a little daring, you could try a pig's heart, stabbed with a nail, surrounded by white roses. Hey, it worked for Neil's girlfriend on Real World IV. Of course, they were English.

Well, that's a little extreme, but the point is, do something. When I was in a lecture on Monday and the professor mentioned something about the dreaded V-day, most of the class groaned. Valentine's Day is not a chore! The rest of the year, when you tell someone you care, you'll be asked if you're on crack. Now is your chance to reach out.

I know you'll do what you want to do, but you can't say that I didn't try. Happy Valentine's Day.

Radhika Natarajan is a sophomore in Trumbull.

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