Traditionally, Valentine’s Day is spent with a loved one or significant other, and sometimes even on a blind date. Most people will celebrate by getting dressed up in their nicest outfits and going to a nice dinner at a fancy restaurant, sometimes followed by a new movie at the theater. But now it’s 2016, and everyone has his or her own way of celebrating, and while the main theme of Valentine’s Day is the same, the faculty and staff at Becton have different ways of casually showing their love and appreciation.

For example, English Teacher Mrs. Scalera is married to her husband Ralph and together they have two young children named Nicholas and Vincent. Since becoming a parent, her Valentine’s Day is now spent with her children who she says are her “true valentines.” “Every year, Cupid comes to my home and brings my two sons a gift in the morning, which is normally a toy,” she said when asked how she celebrates.

Another English teacher here at Becton who goes by the name of Mrs. Gatto, also celebrates the upcoming holiday with her husband and two children, Delphine and Richie. She said, “I don’t go out to dinner because the restaurants like to rip off people, so we just usually have a family dinner at home. Although, before having kids I would go out to restaurants and get ripped off.”

It seems that throughout the years in someone’s lifetime, Valentine’s Day becomes less about romance and more about family, which makes sense considering a family’s love is unconditional. Special Education Teacher Mr. Maucione tends to celebrate a little bit more on the traditional side, yet with a modern twist. He and his wife go to either dinner or a movie and enjoy each other’s company that way. Sometimes, however, they have mini adventures that they go on. “We’ve gone canoeing in the past and taken our son with us.”

Last but certainly not least, Administrative Assistant Mrs. Trause has in previous years celebrated by going on a group date to a restaurant with some of her and her husband’s friends. But now that all of her children have flown the coupe, Mrs. Trause says that she and her husband may celebrate by going away for a weekend, now that they finally can without having to worry about their little ones at home.