Editor's note: Feb. 11

Thursday, February 11, 2010

I have one successful Valentine’s Day on record. It was sixth grade and things were getting pretty serious between me and my boyfriend, Brandon. We’d known each other since kindergarten when he would come over to play Power Rangers with my twin brother, Kevin. Somewhere between soccer games at recess and hand-holding in the hallway, romance ensued.

Valentine’s Day in elementary school is rarely a cause for disappointment. Everyone got a valentine from each of the 23 kids in Mrs. Ostrander’s class, and the room moms provided delicious heart-shaped cookies and white-frosted cupcakes to enjoy. Hardly the loneliness and cynicism experienced by some singles today.

After all of the kids had properly sorted and placed Batman, Barbie and Scooby Doo greetings onto desks we sat down in nervous anticipation.

I stared at my white tissue-papered shoebox decorated with cookie-cutter heart stickers and drawings. I began pulling out each card one by one. Finally, I pulled out a folded New York Jets football player, addressed To: Kelci From: Brandon.

Unlike all of the other kids who received this NFL Valentine, mine was different. It wasn’t sealed with the matching football sticker, but with a cute green dinosaur, gleaming and clutching a pink heart that said, “Let’s be friends.” It was true love at its finest.

On the last day of elementary school, Brandon broke up with me to, in his terms, “play the field” in middle school. Recovering was a slow and painful process. New crushes came and went, but 10 years later I’ve yet to have a significant other to celebrate that day with. I’m afraid my youthful optimism has hardened and gone as stale as those colorful candy hearts stamped with sweet sayings. (I’m not bitter. Do I sound bitter?)

Whether you’re single or taken, check out Lindsay’s story and decide how to celebrate this sometimes-dreaded holiday. As for me, I’ll be spending this Singles’ Awareness Day (also known as S.A.D. Ironic?) with my best friends — drinking wine, eating sushi and fondly remembering a simpler time when love was exchanged through sports heroes and funny Valentines.

Editor's note: April 1

Associate Jayplay editor Kelci Shipley shares her thoughts on this week's issue.

/news/2010/apr/01/editors-note/

Editor's note: April 15

Associate Jayplay editor Kelci Shipley gives her take on this week's issue.

/news/2010/apr/15/editors-note-april-15/

A world of love

/news/2006/feb/08/world_valentine/

Editor's note: Feb. 25

Jayplay associate editor Kelci Shipley's take on this week's issue.

/news/2010/feb/25/editors-note-feb-25/

Editor's note: Jan. 28

Associate Jayplay editor Kelci Shipley gives her take on this week's edition.

/news/2010/jan/28/editors-note-jan/

Student strives to be on stage

Shipley, a fan of acting and stand-up comedy for years, discusses her ...

/news/2008/feb/25/theatre/

The object of her affection

/news/2006/feb/09/jpvday/

Everyone loves a weekend Valentine’s day

Exhibits, concerts and theater performances among holiday happenings in Lawrence and KC

/news/2009/feb/13/weekend_valentines/

Love is in the Air

The different ways to celebrate Valentine's Day.

/news/2012/jan/31/love-air/

Editors' note: Jan. 21

The Jayplay editors' take on this week's issue.

/news/2010/jan/21/editors-note-jan-21/

Editor's note: March 11

Get associate Jayplay editor Kelci Shipley's take on this week's issue.

/news/2010/mar/11/editors-note-march-11/

Bittersweet: Don't let the hype ruin your ...

Whether you're taken ... or single you can avoid the pitfalls of ...

/news/2010/feb/11/bittersweet/

Movie Review: "Shame"

The friends with benefits theme isn't so friendly in this flick.

/news/2012/feb/15/movie-review/

Throughout the ages: the history of Valentine’s ...

Valentine’s Day makes people think of romance, but there’s more history to ...

/news/2012/feb/13/history-valentines/

Autism speaks

Fighting for the cause on my spring break.

/news/2009/oct/01/autism-speaks/

Keith: Don't blame Valentine's Day for relationship ...

If you're having problems during Valentine's Day, it may be a sign ...

/news/2012/feb/14/keith-dont-blame-valentines-day-relationship-troub/

Valentine’s Day unconventionally

Students define the celebration of Valentine’s day with parties, conventions and quality ...

/news/2009/feb/13/unconventional_valentines/

Do this: Ceramics

Just do it.

/news/2012/jan/25/do-ceramics/

Gwynn: The insincerity of Valentine's Day

What is Valentine's Day really supposed to mean?

/news/2012/feb/13/gwynn-insincerity-valentines-day/

Editor's note: April 29

See what associate Jayplay editor Kelci Shipley has to say about this ...

/news/2010/apr/29/editors-note/

Editor's note

Jayplay Editor Kelci Shipley discusses her international experience.

/news/2010/oct/21/editors-note/

Your Valentine’s Day picks for presents

Perfect gifts for every stage in your relationship

/news/2009/feb/12/your_valentines_day_picks_presents/

Wescoe wit

Heard around campus.

/news/2009/nov/19/wescoe-wit/

Bigs and Littles

Sibling relationships are always tough, but some students volunteer to take on ...

/news/2007/apr/05/bigs_and_littles/

A sobering struggle

College students with alcoholism fight to overcome their addiction in an alcohol-infused ...

/news/2008/dec/03/sobering_struggle/

Established scholar adds her experience to KU

Rowland answers several questions about why she loves to teach English and ...

/news/2008/feb/26/established_scholar/

Businesses strive to make Valentine's Day great

/news/2006/feb/14/valentines_day/

Romance can boom or bust on Valentine’s ...

The holiday is a great opportunity to boost relationships, but also leads ...

/news/2010/feb/12/romance-can-boom-or-bust-valentines-day/

Editor's Note

Editor's note

/news/2010/sep/30/editors-note/

Pred: Where to go for Valentine's day

It's always hard to decide where to eat for Valentine's day. Here ...

/news/2012/feb/02/pred-where-go-valentines-day/

SPECIAL: Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Valentine's Day is less than a week away, but there's still time ...

/news/2006/feb/08/special_valentines_day_gift_guide/

Joseph: Home is where your heart is

See how one student chose to make KU home and how sports ...

/news/2012/apr/30/joseph-home-heart/

Q & A: Ayad Al Adhamy of ...

Because we have questions. Celebrities have answers.

/news/2009/aug/20/q_passion_pit/

McConnell: For students with allergies, peanuts scare ...

The recent salmonella scare gives insight into the lives of peanuts allergy ...

/news/2009/feb/05/mcconnell_students/

Homeless Family Program focuses on keeping kids ...

The Lawrence Homeless Shelter is filling up rapidly with families looking for ...

/news/2011/sep/15/homeless-family-program/

Saha: Musician shines light on love and ...

According to science, Kesha isn't that crazy after all. Love produces similar ...

/news/2011/feb/14/saha-musician-shines-light-love-and-neurophysiolog/

Pants become eco-friendly alternative

The Use Your Pants campaign encourages people to avoid paper towels and ...

/news/2010/mar/09/pants-become-eco-friendly-alternative/

A staggering tragedy

Friends and family look for answers while struggling to cope with an ...

/news/2009/apr/28/staggering_tragedy/

Leap-year babies jump at the chance to ...

The day of Feb. 29 only comes every four years, giving those ...

/news/2008/feb/29/leadpyear/

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