The Pioneer, Vol. 52, Issue 4

Features
Love is All Around
Valentine’s Day does not have to be romantic
By DIANE RUSSELL
Staff Writer
CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR’S AND
OTHER FAMILY HOLIDAYS are over.
February is here and Valentine’s Day is
around the corner. Stores are decorated
with red hearts and bows. Everywhere
seems to have reminders of love. Valentine’s
Day is a time to celebrate with
romantic partners and show them how
much you care, but it does not have to
exclude people without partners.
Love comes in many forms. Valentine’s
Day can be an opportunity to remind
any loved one how special and meaningful
they are. It can also be a wonderful
chance to see how many sources of love
exist.
One can remove the romantic part of
Valentine’s Day. It can be another
family-oriented holiday. Candy hearts
and flowers can be given to anyone,
even to family members. Family can be
blood-related or chosen. Either way, family
is about community and belonging.
Aimee Sander, a sophomore in the
nursing program at Pierce College Fort
Steilacoom, said that family can be
supportive even if it is only in small ways.
“Family is a source of love for me as a
support system,” she said. “Not even in
the sense that they do big things for me.
They may not even support my career
and schooling choices, but the smaller
things.”
Things like making a snack or a cup
of hot coffee for each other “speaks love”
to Sander and makes her “feel loved.”
Disagreements can happen in families,
but love can be shown in a hundred
small ways that add up. Family members
weather the storm together. Valentine’s
Day can be a time for family members to
remember that love is unconditional.
Another common source of love is
pets. Animals provide true, wholehearted
love and support. Pets show affection and
devotion all year long. Many people love
their pets like family. For people without
families, animals can make great substitutes.
“ANIMALS PROVIDE
ONE OF THE MOST PURE
FORMS OF LOVE. ”
— JANIE UNBEHEGEN,
VETERINARIAN
Veterinarian Dr. Janie Unbehagen
owns Animal Care Clinic in University
Place. The Animal Care Clinic website
states that Unbehagen “enjoys working
with owners and their pets to develop
fun, long-term relationships.”
Dr. Janie, as she is known to her
clients, said, “Animals provide one of the
Nick Nelson/Staff Illustration
most pure forms of love. They do not
judge. They do not withhold their love
and adoration for any reason.”
She said, “They will be at your side no
matter how hard life appears to be for
you or them until the end.”
Valentine’s Day can be a holiday to
celebrate with one’s “fur babies.” It is also
a chance to spoil them more than usual.
However, Valentine’s Day does not
have to be shared with anyone. It can
be a chance to be alone and indulge in
hobbies. Love can be found in self-expression.
Photography, painting, writing
or any creative outlet allows for self-love.
Digital Design student Lucas Schuetz
said, “Creating art makes me feel fulfilled.
It instills a sense of accomplishment and
also a sense of purpose. It makes me feel
complete.”
Valentine’s Day does not have to be
romantic; what matters is how it is spent.
14 / piercepioneernews.com
February 11, 2019 / Vol. 52, Issue 4