“Is Valentine’s Day only about romance?” I wondered, glancing around the room. Valentine’s Day crafts were scattered across the tables—half-finished friendship bracelets, heart stickers and love letters, alongside trays of red velvet cupcakes.
I turned my inner thought to Erick, president of North Quadrangle’s Multicultural Council, whose approachable nature instantly made me feel comfortable.
“Not at all,” he said. “When I think of Valentine’s Day, I think of love, but more specifically the energy of giving, being there for people and showing that you care for others.”
As the writer of Student Life’s ongoing “Junk Journal” blog, I met Erick at the Soulmates and Soul Food event in my usual way: computer in hand, notebook stowed neatly in my purse.
The series follows my path through campus events, collecting small moments and conversations along the way. Each “scrap” finds a second life in my notebook, preserved through collages that mirror the community—pieces stitched together to form moments worth keeping.
My earliest ideas about love were shaped by observing a long-standing partnership between my parents. Soulmates, if you will. Care, consistency and mutual support set an early example of what connection can look like.
Over time my understanding of love shifted.
When I reached high school I began to truly appreciate my platonic relationships. Finding community within groups of people similar to me made me feel appreciated and seen.
The feeling of community-based acceptance continues to be formative for me through college, showing me that love is not just something we feel, but something that makes us feel that we belong.
Soulmates and Soul Food reminded me of that.
Valentine’s Day is my favorite holiday because I adore having an excuse to celebrate love.
As someone in a long-distance relationship, it also brings bittersweet emotions. Most days, I furrow my brow at couples holding hands, exchanging kisses and sharing pastries at cafes.
But on Valentine’s Day? My focus shifts outward.
Seeing couples, friends and communities express affection, whether through small gestures or shared traditions, feels reassuring.
Like Erick, I do not think Valentine’s Day is solely romantic. It is a day to celebrate the love that already surrounds us.
Soulmates and Soul Food, a Black History Month event, brought that idea to life.
The evening was filled with card-making, friendship bracelets and plates of soul food, but what stood out to me the most was the atmosphere: easy conversations with strangers, laughter, and the comfort of people settling into a shared space.
I didn’t have to attend with a friend. I didn’t have to explain to other students why I was there. Showing up and being myself was welcomed. Moments like this remind me how much simple, genuine connection can mean.
“What does it mean to find love in your community?” I asked Wendell, a College of Engineering student.
He paused for a moment. “It means to be accepted for who you are, and to not have your existence be questioned,” he said softly.
As a Black student, Wendell shared that, occasionally, he feels isolated within his major, so he seeks community in other spaces on campus.
Belonging can feel like a daunting thing to chase. Despite being an outgoing individual, I initially felt nervous walking into the event because I knew nobody there. However, the atmosphere immediately felt stress-free as each student was included in conversation.
Pockets of connection like this lead to much more than an evening of making Valentine’s Day cards. They lead to long-term friendships, inspiration and maybe the kindness you need to keep moving forward.
The Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC), along with members from North Quadrangle Multicultural Council, Diversity Peer Educations, and other Residential Advisors, created a comfortable environment of connection and crafting.
I left thinking about how love doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it’s a laugh with the person next to you when your Valentine’s Day card isn’t quite working out the way you planned or a shared smile over delicious food.
In these little moments, love feels a lot like belonging. A reminder that care doesn’t always show up with grand gestures, but with the steady comfort of being accepted exactly as you are.
If you felt down this Valentine’s Day, or any day, because you wish you were in a romantic relationship, I encourage you to think about the community that surrounds you.
Love is all around—just take a moment to look.
To be continued in scraps and stickers,
Natalie