 "Photo: Gail Hernandez")
Underneath the purpose of Valentine's Day lays the pressures and expectations placed upon men. Women excitedly ask: How will they surprise me? What will this mean? And most importantly, how much do they really love me?
Valentine's Day was created as a designated day to treat a woman special, said Kyle Craycraft, a sophomore agricultural economics major.
"It's just a holiday for them," he said.
With Valentine's Day here, it is obvious that Craycraft's statement is partially true as men start to sweat and ladies spend the week finding dresses and practicing expressions for when they receive flowers or (cross your fingers) jewelry.
"Girls can get a guy something small, though they are not obligated to, but a guy should either get something big or put a lot of thought into it," Craycraft said.
Junior mechanical engineering major Max Davies said he's indifferent about the holiday, but knows that if it's important to his girlfriend, a guy should make it special.
Although Davies is a bachelor, he is willing to dole out some ideas for those men lacking the gift of thoughtfulness and creativity.
If Davies were to be planning the perfect Valentine's Day for that special someone, he said the romance would start at 11 a.m. with a picnic at Lake Bryan.
Depending on her style, Davies would follow lunch with kite flying or fishing -- something out of the ordinary they would remember and enjoy doing together.
The night begins a whole new chapter as Davies would prepare a secluded candlelit dinner with a classy bottle of wine and surprise her with exotic flowers.
"Cooking dinner is crucial to showing thoughtfulness," Davies said.
Borrowing his next idea from a friend, Davies would end the night with something original.
"I would set up a projection screen in my backyard and watch a romantic movie together," Davies said.
If your gal isn't a kite-flying, movie-watching kind of girl, freshman general studies major Aaron Mader had a different plan.
"I'm an activity guy, so I would surprise her by taking her to the Baylor vs. A&M game and spending some serious cash on floor seats," Mader said.
After that, Mader said they would spend the night celebrating a successful game and just spending time together. As far as a gift goes, Mader thought a singing telegram would do the trick.
While freshmen bioenvironmental science major Lance Benes would love to see "My Bloody Valentine 3D." He said he would see whatever the girl wanted - even a chick flick.
Even though Benes is single, he gives men who can't seem to draw the line between serious or relaxed gifts, a little advice.
"A promise ring is at least a year, while a bracelet or a necklace are after at least a month, maybe longer, depending on the relationship," Benes said.
Freshman business major Case Craycraft was in a serious relationship, but waited about a year before giving his girl a necklace. On their second Valentine's Day, he gave her Chanel earrings.
"It depends on the person on whether or not to get jewelry," Craycraft said.
Craycraft's last girlfriend lived on a golf course, so he spent last Valentine's Day walking the trails of the course talking and spending time together.
Junior sports management major Michael Reeder had his own interpretation of Valentine's Day.
"I think Valentine's Day isn't overrated because a lot of relationships need it. It's a given day for couples to rekindle their affection and it eliminates the other days that are so often taken advantage of," Reeder said.
He knew the perfect gift for all relationships.
"My gift would be an inside joke that would remind us of all the memories we've had together or it would be something she had mentioned when she thought I wasn't listening."
Reeder recommended beginning the night with dinner at her favorite restaurant and ending the night with a bottle of wine cuddled up by a fire.
For those who think Valentine's Day is just another day, join junior general studies major Josh Montemayor, who said it is just another Saturday.
"I'm against it and I have never been on a date for Valentine's Day, but if the day comes, I'm gonna skip it like class." he said.
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