One of the most controversial months, February, is upon us. As Valentine’s Day steadily approaches, conflict also begins to appear. People either love this holiday or hate it. Those who dislike the fourteenth of February argue that this day is simply a capitalist scheme to compel consumers to purchase candies and cards in an effort to prove their undying love. However,  this is not the basis of the holiday. Valentine’s Day is a day reserved to celebrate love for others. 

The teachers of the Key West High School (KWHS) are excited to spend this day with the people they love. Keri and Brett Fink, two teachers at KWHS, are ready for Valentine’s Day, 2022 to arrive. According to Mr. Fink, the couple met in December of 1996, started dating in January of 1997, engaged in April of 1997, and married in June of the following year. The Finks have been happily married for almost 24 years. Mr. Fink clarified why they fit together like two puzzle pieces. “We both laugh at [our] mistakes and move past them.” While Mrs. Fink agrees, she also offered an alternate theory. She shared, “We have the same values and we know what is important and what is not.”

Another teacher at KWHS, Kelly Smoot, is also happy to share this special day with the person she loves. Ms. Smoot has been with her husband, Justin Smoot, for seven-and-a-half years and they finally tied the knot last year. Ms. Smoot has determined that their secret to working well together can be boiled down to a simple fact. She explained, “We’re very different from one another so we keep each other balanced.” Opposites attract and balance each other out, which could lead to longterm happiness. 

February fourteenth is a day to spend time with loved ones and simply be happy. There’s no need to spend outrageous amounts of money on gifts and dinners. All that is needed for that to be a “successful” Valentine’s Day being with the one you love.