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What does your sweetheart want?
By ANDREW DELONG and SARAH TARECO, Times X-Team
Published February 7, 2005
Feb. 14 is a hallmark holiday where a Hallmark card is simply not enough.
For years, a Valentine's Day greeting card bearing a heartfelt message was enough to satisfy the feeling of being loved by that special someone. Adolescents and some preteens still exchange conversation hearts or cards. Some are looking and hoping for hidden messages such as "Be mine," while others are just trying to see how many they can collect.
As you enter your teens, thanks in large part to media hype, it's no longer just the thought that counts. Many teens are hoping for some type of gift.
Some girls are hoping for the outrageous.
Emily Southmayd, a ninth-grader at East Lake High School, doesn't want just one rose. She would like "1,000 roses."
Holly Greene, an 11th-grader at East Lake High, would like a new car in addition to "one tulip, one teddy bear and one piece of chocolate."
Other girls are hoping for something a little more traditional.
Lia Pissanos, an 11th-grader at East Lake High, says, "Flowers are good. I would like daisies and a cute little teddy bear with a shirt that says, "I love you.' "
Sharyn Qureshi, an 11th-grader at East Lake High, wishes for "something sweet like a box of chocolate and maybe dinner. It's the little stuff that matters."
While some girls want something sweet from a loved one, some just want to have fun.
"I want to go to the mall with a whole bunch of friends," said Tierra Robinson, a ninth-grader at East Lake High.
Then, there are the romantics.
"I want a romantic date. I want to go to a fancy restaurant and get flowers and candy," said Erin Irwin, a ninth-grader at East Lake High.
Magda Wojcikowska, an 11th-grade exchange student at East Lake High, says "I want my boyfriend from Poland."
But what do the guys want?
According to some at Central High School in Brooksville, they want many of the same things as girls.
"I would like a simple Valentine's Day card from the heart," said Corey Diesz, 17, an 11th-grader.
"I would want to be with that special someone all day," said Joshua Jufko, 17, who is in the 12th grade.
If Cupid's arrow is pointed at you, be prepared to spend some money on, or some time with, the one you love.
Andrew DeLong, 17, is in 11th grade at East Lake High. Sarah Tareco, 16, is in 11th grade at Central High School in Brooksville.
