While walking down the aisles of a local store, it is not unusual to see stuffed animals of all kinds, giant cards, hearts filled with candy and several other Valentine’s Day-themed gifts to give to that special someone for the holiday.
David Gravois, mass communication senior from Thibodaux, has not been single for a while but said he will be single for Valentine’s Day this year.
Even though Gravois may be spending this Valentine’s Day alone, he said he likes Valetine’s Day.
Joshua Falgout, computer science senior from Larose, and Mary Bollinger, business administration senior from Houma, have been dating for three years and four months. They have been engaged since Christmas.
“Valentine’s Day leaves many single people feeling lonely, which is the best time to find a date, Gravious said.
There are advantages and disadvantages to being single on Valentine’s Day, he said.
Being single on Valentine’s Day means no stressing or spending money.
Another advantage is people usually think so much about planning the perfect Valentine’s Day they over think it, and it ends up being less than they expected, Gravois said.
For Gravois, being single means he does not have to worry about any of these things.
One advantage Bollinger finds of being in a relationship for Valentine’s Day is people can spend special moments on a special holiday with their best friend.
“It is all about having someone there to share it with,” Bollinger said.
Gravois said a disadvantage of being single for Valentine’s Day is when all his friends have boyfriends or girlfriends, and he is “left in the dust.”
For many people, a lack of money on Valentine’s Day can be stressful, Falgout said.
Last Valentine’s Day Falgout surprised Bollinger with a beautiful candlelit dinner with romantic music, wonderful food (he cooked himself) and pink cupcakes with hearts on them, Bollinger said.
“It was amazing,” Bollinger said.
For this Valentine’s Day, Gravois plans to hang out with the single folks. Gravois and his friends will have a “Love Stinks” party, Gravois said.
“I plan to hang out with my single friends, but if the right girl comes around, I might be on a date,” Gravois said.
This year Falgout plans to cook a meal for Bollinger and just spend quality time with her.
Falgout said it is not all the extravagant things that matter most, but the little things
“Everyday with Joshua is like Valentine’s Day,” Bollinger said.

Mary Bollinger, business administration senior from Houma, and Joshua Falgout, computer science senior from Larose, show David Gravois, mass communication senior from Thibodaux, how couples make the most of Valentine’s Day. (Ashley Falterman)