Do you think you've had bad Valentine's Day experiences? You're not alone.

Valentine’s Day is often loved or hated, with few falling in between. 

Those who hate the holiday usually despise it for the embarrassing, awkward and depressing moments that can accompany the day dedicated to lovers. Whether it's getting ghosted by a Tinder date or having a forgetful partner, UNC students are no exception to Valentine’s Day disappointments.

Getting ghosted

Brooks Fitts, a junior majoring in English and peace, war, and defense, said he has always been single on Valentine’s Day.

“Normally, I just lock myself in my apartment, crank up some Taylor Swift and start crying,” Fitts said. 

He recommends her “emotional” album, ‘Red', for those looking to get some tears in.

But on Valentine’s Day 2018, Fitts had an interesting experience when his mother gave him a gift card to 411 West Italian Café. While his mother encouraged him to go eat with a friend, Fitts was set on going on a date with a girl. 

Fitts pulled up Tinder on his phone and within 10 minutes, matched with someone and started talking to them. The pair decided to meet at a restaurant on Valentine’s Day night. 

“We talked for like an hour – we both got lasagna and we both got a dessert plate,” Fitts said. “She depleted my gift card of 45 bucks.”

Fitts felt like they hit it off. He said they agreed they both enjoyed the date and wanted to see each other again. So, he reached back out to her. 

“I texted her afterwards and she just ghosted me,” Fitts said. “It is what it is.”

To ease the heartbreak, Fitts treated himself to classic Valentine’s Day goodies.

“I ended up just buying myself a big teddy bear and a 40-count box of chocolates from CVS,” Fitts said. “Me and a buddy ended up splitting them.”

Since this was the first time he had ever tried doing something for the special day, Fitts said this story is a memory that he will never forget. 

“I hope wherever this person is now, that she’s doing well,” Fitts said.

This year, Fitts is planning on going back to CVS Pharmacy to get himself another box of chocolates and “maybe cry over some Taylor Swift.” 

Break-up blues

Jenna Levy, a junior majoring in computer science and psychology, had her worst Valentine’s Day experience at age 16 with her boyfriend of one month. 

“I’m just simping for him,” Levy said. “I think he is God's gift to earth, or whatever.”

Levy said their relationship just wasn't working and her partner didn't treat her very well. They got into an argument the day before Valentine’s Day.

“We’re texting and he’s basically like, ‘I’m going to break up with you, but I want to do it in person and I don't want to do it tomorrow because it’s Valentine’s Day,’” Levy said. “So, he was like, ‘I’m going to break up with you the day after Valentine’s Day.’”

The couple happened to share four classes together and tried to act like nothing was wrong. Levy said it was a weird feeling of knowing she was going to be broken up with soon. 

The next day, Levy’s lover followed through and broke up with her. 

“I was just pretty miserable that day,” Levy said, “I literally went to bed at like 6 p.m. because I was exhausted and sad.”

This year, Levy plans to celebrate the day by hanging out with her friends, treating herself and possibly playing in the snow. 

Being slept on... literally

Darith Klibanow, a senior majoring in computer science, had her first kiss on Valentine's Day and thought it would set the tone for future years. She now believes this may not be the case.

“I think my Valentine’s Days are cursed,” Klibanow said.

Her worst Valentine’s Day memory was a couple years ago – her first year in a relationship. She had been dating her boyfriend at the time for almost eight months. 

“I was so pumped,” Klibanow said. “I got this hot new lingerie, I got all dressed up and went over to see him.”

When she arrived at his place around noon, her boyfriend was still sleeping. Klibanow said she woke him up and they spent a few hours together on the couch before he fell asleep again.

“He woke up and then went to the store without me because he forgot to buy me anything,” Klibanow said. “He came back with a $2 bouquet from Harris Teeter.”

The couple went out to dinner, split the bill and headed back home. 

“I was so excited. I’m wearing this hot lingerie and I had a crop top on so you could kind of see it, and I hoped he noticed it,” Klibanow said. “He didn't notice it.”

Klibanow said before they went to sleep, she pointed out what she had been wearing. Her boyfriend replied by complaining of a headache and quickly went to sleep.

“The next day I was like, ‘Hold on a second, is that what Valentine’s Days supposed to be like?’” Klibanow said.

Since he was her first boyfriend, Klibanow said she thought it was probably fine, but was still disappointed.

“I was so hyped for that day, and the whole day he was either asleep or doing a bad job,” Klibanow said.

The couple has since broken up, and Klibanow said she anticipates this coming Valentine’s Day to be much more special than her disastrous date. She has a five-day trip to Asheville planned with her current partner.

Valentine’s Day brings high expectations of romance, flowers, candies and expensive meals that can be especially difficult for college students to fulfill. Whether students have a Valentine this year or not, they can take comfort in knowing they're not alone in the mix of comparisons and disappointments. 

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