It’s that time of the year when love is in the air. The shelves are stocked with heart shaped chocolates to human sized teddy bears and flowers are put together in bouquets. Couples celebrate and express their love for one another through dinner, dates and gifts. 

Not everyone is in a relationship. There are singles who will be partying all night or eating chocolate while watching a romantic movie and swiping left and right on Tinder. 

 For students who are single and without a valentine, the Psychology club is putting together a Valentine speed dating event on Feb. 12. 

At the event, singles will wear wrist bands representing their sexuality and get a chance to mingle face to face. The speed dating event will start at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. in Black Hall 201 and 202. 

Jaidyn Alemazkour, a junior double majoring in public relations and psychology, said all you have to do is look cute, maybe brush your hair and put some deodorant on. Who knows people who attend might even meet their future life partner. 

Celebrating Valentine’s Day is not just for romantic partners. Students Kayla Trapp and her friends Kirah Horne and Alexa Bond are planning on spending their Valentine’s Day together. They want to keep it laid back and watch RuPaul’s Drag Race while working on their homework. 

Bond has plans later that night with a special someone after she spends the afternoon with her friends.

Another event taking place on Feb. 12 is a Valentine’s Day soiree. It is a semi formal event free for all CWU students and $5 for general admission at the Sue Lombard Ballroom. The swing dance event starts at 7 p.m. with swing dance lessons provided to students at 6 p.m. Games and desserts are also available. 

Cupid is also going to be sparkling his magic all over downtown Ellensburg. The Ellensburg Pasta Company and the Palace Cafe are having a special menu for Valentine’s Day. 

Taylor Elligsen, a sophomore in the aviation program, plans on celebrating Valentine’s Day by going to lacrosse practice and ending the night by playing video games with his friends. 

“Valentine’s Day is not overrated, it is overhyped,” Elligsen said. “There is nothing wrong with spending money and time with someone you are in a relationship with on Valentine’s Day, but you shouldn’t need the one day to do that. There are other days throughout the year that should be celebrated with your partner.”

For professors spending the night with their special someone and wanting to avoid the awkward eye contact from students while out, they might want to head down to Yakima, Elligsen said. 

Yakima will be hosting multiple events. The Seasons Performance Hall will have live music, featuring FRETLAND. 

If couples are looking to spin their partner around until they fall madly in love with them, the Yakima Sports Center will be hosting a Twin Tolo Dance. Twin Tolo Dance is a throwback to a high school dance with 90’s and 2000’s music. 

Attending dinner at a fancy restaurant is also an option for a Valentine’s Day activity. According to TripAdvisor, the top five restaurants in Yakima are Wine o’Clock, Zesta Cucina, WaterFire Restaurant & Bar, Crafted and Gasperetti’s Gourmet Restaurant.  

Valentine’s Day is a billion-dollar industry. According to Finder, Americans will spend $19.2 billion on just gifts and $30.7 billion on Valentine’s Day activities. An average American will drop approximately $110 on their partners. 

There are also some couples who do not believe in Valentine’s Day or don’t like to celebrate by spending a lot of money, Elligsen said. 

According to the Guardian, there are ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day on a budget. Couples can cook dinner together, go on a romantic walk or make their own Valentine card. As little as a love note can go a long way. 

According to the Happy Life Formula, no matter how you plan on celebrating Valentine’s Day, don’t forget to spread the love and joy with one another, whether partnered or single.