Mary Washington Eagles find love on campus

by CANNON PARKER

Staff Writer

There is a common misconception that Valentine’s Day is only for couples, and for a while that was the sole meaning of the holiday. This idea is backed by corporations flooding our minds and inundating our social media feeds with gifts, flowers and cards that we need to buy for our spouse or lover. 

However, love isn’t reserved for romantic relationships, love has always been open for interpretation. It’s a feeling, an emotion, it isn’t locked for anyone.

For many UMW students, it isn’t all about romance. For sophomore political science major Vivian Wilkins, her love extends to her best friend who she met during their freshman seminar. 

“Love is an emotion that makes us more empathetic and humble towards another person and allows us to show appreciation and affection,” she said.

One thing UMW does especially well is pushing students to meet and connect with one another. Even someone who hasn’t been on campus for long can meet someone they love in the first semester of being at Mary Washington. 

“UMW is how I found all of my closest friends,” said Caz Hatton, a junior sociology major. “I am a transfer and most of my friends are as well. We all connected during orientation. I have also met people through the many clubs at Mary Washington, as well as classes.”

UMW’s study abroad program allowed senior philosophy major Emma Barnett to fall in love with different cities as well as the people she met on her journey. Barnett said she found her closests friends at UMW and that she foresees those relationships to last for years to come. 

“Love means deep care and compassion. It means the willingness to persist despite struggles,” she said.

For many UMW students, love—whether romantic or platonic—is crucial to their college experience. 

“Love means to be emphatic and kind to others around you, and to show compassion and care to strangers as well,” said junior English major Enya Cea-Lavin. “The way I show love is to remind myself to be kind to everyone and help others as much as I can.” 

The love students feel on campus helps to ease the everyday stress of school and make life better. 

“With my friends, love is felt in how happy and light I feel in their presence, and how excited I feel if we have plans coming up and how warm and content I feel inside after spending time with them,” said Hatton. 

Whether you are a freshman, transfer or even an Eagle who has been here for a while, never feel like you can’t reach out and meet new students that have similar pastimes as yourself. 

“Love can take different forms,” said Hatton. “I have love for people in the world that I’ve never met but that I feel very connected to or empathize with deeply.” 

Love is everywhere, even if you don’t feel or see it. Get out there and try to connect with people. Everyone here at UMW is here for the same goal, to prosper and succeed. Get connected, get involved.

Whether you are celebrating alone or with the ones you love, we love you here at The Weekly Ringer and we hope you all have a beautiful Valentines Day, stay safe and watch out for cupid, I hear he doesn’t miss these days.