I’ve never been the kind
of girl to have a particular dislike or affinity for Valentine’s day. Growing
up, my family celebrated it just like Christmas, the Fourth of July or New
Years. We always make each other valentines and give each other candy. My mom decorates
for the holiday with candy heart string lights and flowers around the house.
Every year when I was little my parents had a Valentine’s day party for me and
my friends. Although it is a minor holiday or even annoyance to some,
Valentine’s day has always been a day for my family and I to have fun and enjoy
each other’s company.
When my first February away from home approached, I
realized that I wouldn’t get to spend it eating boxed candy with my parents and
brother. A few days before the 14th, I put stamps on some Valentines and sent
them back home. I wasn’t especially sad when that day rolled around, but it
definitely felt like something was missing and out of the ordinary.
On the night of Valentine’s Day a lot of my friends were
going to the Zeta Valentine’s Day party, so I thought I would go as well. The
house was adorned with pink and red tinsel decoration and there was enough
chocolate and ice cream to cause a sugar induced coma. Everyone was having so
much fun getting funny face painting and decorating cookies. It felt a lot like
I was back at home with my family.
Something that I cherish about Zeta is that we have
events with each other such as this. Oftentimes in college getting in the
spirit of a holiday or even realizing that it is approaching is difficult
because you are so stressed out with school. When you realize Christmas break
is only days away and you haven’t watched a single Christmas movie with you
friends, you get sort of lonely and sad. But, every time I get to go back to
the Zeta house at a time like this, I always feel like I have a family at my
home away from home.
