From friends to lovers, students recall Valentine’s Day memories | Life + Entertainment

Illustration by Jordan Johnson, Haley Walton, Shaye Harold and Ryleigh Hood

Illustration by Anayah Darrett

Friends create memories

Broadcasting freshman Madisyn Page said her favorite Valentine’s Day memory is her most recent one. Page said she and her best friend spent the day together taking pictures, eating take out and talking. She said the day made her thankful to be around her and have her as a friend.

Illustration by Ryleigh Hood

A goodbye galentine

Sociology freshman Emma Vargas said her favorite memory of Valentine’s Day was with her best friend, Lyndzie Aguilar, the previous year. Vargas said they get together with their friends every year for a Galentine’s celebration with decorations, a photo booth, dinner and baking. She said last year was one of the most memorable Galentine’s because it was before her and Aguilar’s friendship became long-distance.

Illustration by Shaye Harold

Father-daughter dinner

Linguistic junior Makenna Crowder said her favorite Valentine’s Day memory is recurring. Crowder said every year, her father takes her to Rainforest Cafe, and afterward they grab some ice cream. She said they always dress for the occasion, and her father always knocks on the door with flowers and a box of chocolates. 

Illustration by Haley Walton

A hug and a kiss

Ari Hernandez, electrical engineering major and incoming transfer student, said her favorite Valentine’s Day memory happened during his freshman year of high school. Hernandez and a friend bought Hershey’s Kisses and asked people around them if they wanted a kiss and a hug. He said he thought it would be a nice social experiment because Valentine’s Day isn’t limited to romantic love. 

Illustration by Haley Walton

The perfectly assembled day

Nursing junior Eboni Smith said her favorite Valentine’s Day memory was from last year. To celebrate the occasion, her fiance got some balloons to ask her to be his valentine. He also got her heart-shaped chicken nuggets from Chick-fil-A, and they assembled Lego roses together. 

Illustration by Haley Walton

Heart-shaped pizza

UTA alumna Eliza’s favorite memory comes from the most recent Valentine’s Day, when she and her husband baked heart-shaped pizzas. She said her husband asked her to be his valentine and bought her roses. She said he made a traditional pepperoni pizza, and she made hers of goat cheese and other ingredients, noting that although his pizza tasted better, hers looked prettier.