Valentine’s Champ of ChattanoogaName: Joel Barker, 28, married eight years to Tina.Valentine’s tradition: He leads up to the big day with “14 Days of Valentines,” an event he set in place in 2002 during their courtship.”I treat it like Christmas for me and my wife,” he said, of the celebration, which includes an annual weekend away, gifts and dinner out.”Other than just getting stuff, it’s a time for us to reconnect.”Unlucky in LoveJosh Lancaster, 31, broke up with his girlfriend the week before Valentine’s Day (which also happens to be the week before his birthday).He had planned to celebrate V-Day with his lady of a year and a half with a big dinner and gift. “They were things I knew would make her happy,” he said, “rather than just ‘ooh’ and ‘ahhh.’ “On the bright side, he said, “I never got dumped on Valentine’s Day.”All the Single Ladies (and Gents)Head out to the Bitter Ball at 9 p.m. Saturday. This nightclub-style party, featuring dance cages, shadow screens and a video DJ, is a place for singles 21 and up to mingle. The party lasts until 2 a.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel, 407 Chestnut St. Call 308-2502 for tickets.The Message of FlowersFor longtime love — red roses send a message of love, desire and respect.For new love — tulips mean “believe me” or a declaration of love.For platonic love — yellow roses indicate gladness and friendship.For no love lost — orange lilies are a symbol of hatred and disdain.For last-minute, you-might-end-up-in-the-doghouse love — carnations, they smack of supermakets.Source: Jeffrey Dendy, owner, Jeffrey’s Flowers
Every Feb. 14, Andreas Foelz thinks of the Valentine’s Day massacre.
“I saw it in the movies,” he said. “This is what I most (associate) with the day.”
Despite cinema-fueled memories of Prohibition-era slaughter, Mr. Foelz, on extended business in Chattanooga from Germany, said he will be sure to have flowers sent to his wife.
“Valentine’s Day is a very famous day,” he said. “She hopes I won’t forget.”
The myriad displays in stores, reminders on television and general assault from Hallmark make it next to impossible to forget that V-day looms large. But is it a day of love, devotion and adoration, or just a pressure cooker?
According to Matt Sposito, 26, Cupid’s birthday definitely sets the dudes under pressure.
“All the responsibility is left up to the men,” he said. “It’s kind of ridiculous.”
Still, Mr. Sposito said he will find a way to celebrate it with his long-term girlfriend.
“I feel like I need to,” he admitted. “It would probably be a big deal if I didn’t.”
What’s the right gift? Is it too much or too little? What stage of the relationship are you in? What message are you sending?
Yes, boys, when you send a gift you send a message. Presents may as well come with subtitles, and that includes flowers (they all have their meanings).
“There’s a lot of pressure of trying to buy the right gift and the apprehension of not knowing whether the person is going to like it,” said Josh Weaver, 26. “I tend to tell several people before and judge their reactions.”
Justin Alper, 33 years old and unattached, said he’s spent Valentine’s Days at house parties among other singles. The fetes, he said, are generally thrown by a faction of Ms. Lonelyhearts.
“They don’t want to be alone and want everyone to join in the misery.”
Valentine’s Day, he said, is more of a female-driven holiday, a sentiment with which Burhan Mizra, 25, agrees.
“I can see some guys getting into it,” he said, “but the majority of guys don’t take this holiday too seriously.”