(SGJC) —The annual Valentine’s Day holiday celebrating love and relationships will look different this year because of a global pandemic. As restaurants, movie theaters, and more date night events are closed because of limited capacity across the country, many couples are being forced to spend the night in their own homes, or in some cases, virtually.
However, many couples have started to plan how to keep the romance alive, even if it is through a computer screen. Tyriek Crutchfield and Deanna Kee, both of Prince George’s County, Maryland, plan on sharing their Valentine’s Day together, yet apart as they virtually spend their time together through FaceTime calls, eating their favorite foods, and binge-watching movies.
They are not only dealing with the physical restraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, but they are living in different states, keeping them further apart for the holiday. With the ongoing pandemic and long distance between Ohio and Virginia interfering with their Valentine’s Day plans, this year’s holiday will be strikingly different.
Kee attends Hollins University Roanoke, Virginia and Crutchfield attends Hocking College in Nelsonville, Ohio.
“This Valentine’s Day is different because we’re in two different states and it is harder to get together to do things to actually enjoy the day compared to last year when we were able to go out for breakfast and spend the day together,” said Crutchfield.
As it is their first Valentine’s Day apart, it will be a bit of a challenge, but they intend on making the best out of their current circumstances. Crutchfield and Kee plan on making their day special through virtual events to make up for not being together in person.
Kee said, “I love what we’re going to do virtually, but if we could do all of that in person it would be so much more fun. Even though our Valentine’s Day will be virtual this year, it’s no doubt it will be special. Honestly, every time I get to spend just being on the phone with him is special. But us doing the things we love like watching movies, us playing Monopoly on our phones, and enjoying each other’s presence will make the day special.”
Despite Valentine’s Day mostly being reserved for relationships and couples, other people use the day to celebrate the love between their friendships. Micah Caldwell plans on spending her holiday celebrating ‘Galentine’s Day’ with a few of her closest girl friends.
“I feel as though Galentine’s Day is something every girl friend group should celebrate,” Caldwell said. “My friends and I are having a safe gathering of eight people to hang out, bake brownies, watch movies, and have a mini photoshoot.
“Yes, having a significant other is romantic, but nothing is more fun than a sleepover with your girlfriends!”
Galentine’s Day is Feb. 13, with the purpose of celebratingfemale friendships and showing appreciations towards those companionships.
Whether you decide to celebrate Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day, remember to stay safe this throughout the pandemic by practicing social distancing, wearing facial covering, and most important of all, staying at home.
The writer is a multimedia journalism major in the Morgan State University School of Global Journalism and Communication.