VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIAL SECTION
A string connects them together: Couple proves that love defies distance
PHOTO BY CARA RAIFORD | STAFF
By Sylvia Freire features@kykernel.com
A string, stretched at its greatest lengths, holding two ends together. Regardless of its length, the strength of this string holds them together.
The string holding them together was their connection. Miles away from one another, the willingness to continue even when there are challenges and setbacks.
Alexandria Landgraf, a digital mass communications and print journalism student at the University of Kentucky, and Wesley Omerso, a computer science and neuroscience student at Notre Dame, have been together for three years.
The two decided to continue their relationship together, regardless of the 330 miles between them.
The couple met in high school in New Albany, Indiana, as they were both in marching band, Landgraf being the leader of the color guard and Omerso being the leader of the percussion section.
Omerso found out about Landgraf's feelings towards him, but found out that her friend also had similar feelings for him at the same time.
“Being an incredibly immature person I decided to put them both into a group chat and ask them how they felt about me at the same time, instead of talking to them one-on-one like any rea -
sonable person,” Omerso said.
Since Oct. 21, 2021, the couple has been together and have had Valentine’s Day plans for every single year— regardless of distance.
“The past few years it’s been virtually . . . last year, we really both love legos and so the lego roses came out and so I was like, ‘Oh my gosh I have to send it to him’ . . . and then coincidentally he also bought the same roses for me,” Landgraf said.
The two have had virtual Valentine's Day FaceTime movie dates in previous years in their relationship, and had the same meal from the same restaurant on the phone together to make the distance feel less far.
Although the couple's plans aren’t fully confirmed yet for this year's Valentine’s Day, they do have an idea of what they plan on doing on this special holiday.
“One of the big things is we’re going to get a tray, the heart-shaped tray of Chickfil-A nuggets because it’s something we did for our very first Valentine’s Day together, and it’s something we hope to keep doing,” Omerso said.
The couple wants to be together this year and has plans to have Omerso come down from South Bend, Indiana, a 6-hour drive, for the holiday to come visit Landgraf in Lexington, Kentucky.
Continued on page 3
Continued from page 2
“Being with each other is the most valuable thing and so it really doesn’t matter what we’re going to do, we just want to be with each other,” Landgraf said.
However, it is hard to mention long distance without the challenges that come with it.
“We’re both extremely busy,” Landgraf said. “It’s really just finding time for each other because when you’re away from people and you don’t physically see them, it’s hard to be like, ‘Oh I didn’t even carve out time to like FaceTime or do a virtual date. ’ ”
The pair has been able to make their relationship not only stronger with distance, but by continuing to do the little things for each other to make it worth it.
“For me and Wesley, our relationship, we try to build it around God, we do devotionals together and read the Bible together, so we’re in the same place at the same time,” Landgraf said. “Whenever we are struggling, we will be like, ‘God is handling it and God can do anything.’”
Even with the challenges of long-distance and what it may bring, the holiday remains to be filled with love for the pair.
“It feels like our holiday . . . I don’t
get to go take her out to a movie and a fancy dinner and give her flowers, because I would give her flowers any day of the week if I could . . . it’s a day I get to celebrate with her, but it doesn’t feel like we’re missing out on anything because we are long distance . . . we choose to make it ours,” Omerso said.
“Being with each other is the most valuable thing and so it really doesn’t matter what we’re going to do, we just want to be with each other,”
Everything counts for these two, with every call, virtual date and gift; the couple has been able to get through challenges regardless of whether or not others believe they can’t.
“Every single day of long-distance that we have been together, I’ve always called her right before we’ve gone to bed, there hasn’t been a single day that I haven’t done that,” Omerso said.
Their appreciation for one another continues to shine through, not only through love, but with the certainty and trust they have for one another.
“If you know they’re the one, then they’re the one and it doesn’t matter what comes in between that,” Landgraf said. “I’ve talked to many people and they have said, ‘Oh my gosh I would never be able to do that’ and they haven’t experienced it yet . . . but if you really really love someone, you will do it.”
Long distance is something this pair chooses to put effort into and make every moment count.
With this, the holiday isn’t just another day that passes by, it is another day to appreciate one another.
“Do the little things in a relationship,” Omerso said. “Even though we know we’ll be each other’s Valentines because we have been for the past four Valentine's Days now, it’s important to ask . . . to say ‘I love you,’ over and over again to make sure each partner remembers it.”
The couple proves day by day that their love is irreplaceable. The love they share is one that will last and continue to grow with each milestone and challenge that comes their way.
“You know the old adage is distance makes the heart grow fonder, and it definitely does,” Omerso said.
Abbey Cutrer, editor-in-chief editor@kykernel.com
Casey Sebastiano, managing editor managinged@kykernel.com
Matthew Mueller, photo editor photo@kykernel.com
Kennedy Parker, copy and features editor features@kykernel.com
Lilly Keith, news editor news@kykernel.com
Isabella Sepahban, assistant news editor Owen Chesemore, opinions editor opinions@kykernel.com
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Jonathon Bruner, assistant sports editor
Akhila Nadimpalli, designer Kaci McCarthy, social media & newsletter manager Giana Gallo, broadcast & podcast manager
KENTUCKY KERNEL OFFICE
9 Blazer Dining University of Kentucky Lexington, KY 40506 On the front cover:
By Laura Silva features@kykernel.com
Spreading love through the art of handwritten letters
Love comes in different shapes, colors and formats — and letters.
With colorful crayons and papers spread on the tables, students drew an orange heart, a heart bouquet, pink coquette bows, colorful hearts, heart balloons, flowers, lollipops, XOXO's and the words “you are loved” on letters.
These hand-crafted cards are written by those who believe in the “art of a handwritten letter.”
With the sound of “The Love Club” by Lorde and “Home” by Good Neighbours, sipping on Poppi soda and having sweet treats from North Lime Coffee and Donuts, people gather together for one cause: love.
Letters of Love is a worldwide nonprofit organization dedicated to providing emotional support through letters to children facing serious illnesses.
When Grace Berbig lost her mother to leukemia, she founded the organization to keep her mother’s
“These little notes are my most prized possessions now — the only love I have left from my mom,” Berbig said on the organization’s website.
Following in their mother’s steps, the daughters filled their mom’s hospital walls with love and support through piles of cards while she was battling leukemia.
Beyond the hospital, the nonprofit expanded from the Children’s Hospital of Minnesota to Lexington with around 180 members in GroupMe in 2025.
Inspired by Berbig’s story, Penelope
Steffek-Lynch, a University of Kentucky journalism and sports communication student, brought Letters of Love to UK’s campus in September 2024.
“Giving them (participants) a chance to be able to give back is just an incredible experience,” Steffek-Lynch said. “Knowing that I was able to do that is very special and that is really why I do this.”
Steffek-Lynch had her eyes opened to a new possibility by a friend from Minnesota who works with the global team.
Continued on page 5
Maddie Wiser and Ava Akers pose with their letters during the Letters of Love event on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, at the Don and
Continued from page 4
“I looked for it (Letters of Love) at Kentucky, we didn’t have one,” Steffek-Lynch said. “And I was like, well, all these other schools have it, I would love to bring that here.”
A new commitment, however, brings a new responsibility and with that the need to have more people.
“It’s a lot of work,” Steffek-Lynch said. “There’s more things that go into this kind of thing that I would have even imagined.”
Steffek-Lynch found a UK sophomore majoring in integrated strategic communications, Mackenzie Mastalarz, the current vice president of community relations, who was moved by the same principles of helping children by spreading kindness and love.
“I think that these kids are looking for something like that to lean on, and these small few words of kindness can really make their day when they're feeling lonely and hopeless.”
“My dad always used to tell me how much a small act of kindness can go,” Mastalarz said.
People can “feel the love” in the meetings, according to Mastalarz.
“It’s not supposed to be a pressure thing, it’s just a fun little thing you can do with your friends that makes you feel good and makes the children in the hospitals feel good,” Steffek-Lynch said.
Letters of Love weaves a new tapestry of unity through a welcoming environment, according to Steffek-Lynch.
“We want to spread that love, we want to continue to grow our club,”
Mastalarz said.
This welcoming environment allowed an older UK teacher to come into the first meeting.
He interacted with other students and made cards, some with little knock-knock jokes.
Mastalarz said it was the cutest thing she had ever seen as he came in to show his love and support for the children.
“That wasn’t something that I was expecting,” Steffek-Lynch said. “To see that the club that I brought here is affecting even more people than just students, I thought it was really special.”
In the digital era in which people are surrounded by screens, a handwritten letter brings a new touch of love.
“You're physically writing on the piece of paper, it comes more from the heart, and people can actually see how you're expressing your emotion,” Mastalarz said.
One of the organization’s policies is to include the writer’s name and school to make the letters more personal and heartfelt, demonstrating that people are dedicating time to them.
“Support does actually matter and taking the time to do things still shows an effort,” Steffek-Lynch said.
Some instructions are given to the participants on what to say in the letters.
“Keep fighting,” “stay strong” and “keep swimming” are some of the expressions that writers must avoid.
The club recognizes those phrases can be triggering and discouraging, the opposite of what they are aiming for. According to Mastalarz, writing one or two more meaningful cards is better than rushing to make 10.
“Imagine a kid opening up the card and their reaction,” Mastalarz said. “You want it to be heartfelt.”
In February, children will receive these hand-crafted letters in celebration of the month of love.
“When people think of Valentine’s Day, we want them to think of Letters of Love,” Mastalarz said.
CALLIE THOMPSON | STAFF Shelby Patterson and Savannah Seiler write their letters during the Letters of Love event.
CALLIE THOMPSON | STAFF Students wait during the Letters of Love event for the organizers.
By Isabella Sepahban and Sammy Wynn features@kykernel.com
Before The Date
CHRISTIAN SMITH AND SHEA SMALTZ
Christian Smith:
The February sun beamed down on Christian Smith as he left his apartment in search of flowers. Who were the flowers for? He did not know.
“All I know is she’s a Christian and she’s 20, and that’s fine with me,” Smith said.
Smith was about to go on his first blind date ever. So, in preparation, the economics sophomore walked to his local Kroger to buy a fresh bouquet of flowers for his soon-to-be blind date.
However, Smith was not nervous
Nerves to Numbers
Editor’s Note:
Eachyear,theKentuckyKernelsetsuptwocouplesonablinddate,withEditor-in-ChiefAbbeyCutrerandManaging Editor Casey Sebastiano selecting students based on their answers to a survey about their personality, sexual preference and hopes for the date.
On Monday Feb. 3, the couples met up for their dinner at Bella Cafe and Grille, courtesy of the Kernel, with the possibility of meeting their college sweetheart or, at the very least, a friend.
about his future encounter. In fact, Smith said he felt quite fine.
“I’m just going into it trying to see what happens,” Smith said.
Smith said he had applied for the Kernel’s blind date the year prior, but ended up not being able to actually go on a date due to his work schedule at the time.
This year, though, Smith was ready to find love and was even more excited for the potential to find a partner who shared his Christian faith.
“Who knows if she’s gonna be in my life more than just today, and if she is, then maybe that’s the bond I can nurture with her for God,” Smith said.
Before leaving his apartment,
Smith went to his bathroom to add touch ups to his outfit, making sure to put on cologne and grab his flowers before heading to the door.
Although Smith was hopeful for a love connection, he also was looking forward to just meeting someone new and getting to know them.
“I think even just seeing each other around and being able to have a light conversation would be nice,” Smith said. “Even if it’s not a relationship or friendship.”
As the warm yellow light hit the wood floors of the Bella Cafe and Grille, Smith walked toward his reserved table, seated next to one of the cafe’s windows, flowers in hand.
Moments later, the door to
and his date walks in
Shea Smaltz:
The sound of laughter echoes throughout the apartment Shea Smaltz shares with her two roommates as she prepares for her blind date.
A pale pink sign adorning the words “Love is in the air,” softly glows in the corner, as fairy lights are strung across the ceiling.
Smaltz’s life lives up to her sign, seeing love all around her on the University of Kentucky’s campus where she is a sophomore psychology major. Continued on page 7
the cafe opens,
— Shea Smaltz.
MATTHEW MUELLER | STAFF
Christian Smith picks up flowers for his blind date on Monday, Feb. 4, 2025, at Kroger in Lexington, Kentucky.
SYDNEY NOVAK | STAFF
Shea Smaltz, a sophomore psychology major, smiles while calling her mom before a blind date on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, at University Flats in Lexington, Kentucky.
Continued from page 6
Throughout her 20 years of life, Smaltz has been on a series of dates, yet never been in a relationship — describing her relationship as a short story.
Now in college, Smaltz is ready to start a relationship, however, she was too nervous to take the first step. Her best friend, Madi Lange, took the matter into her own hands and nominated Smaltz for the date.
“She said ‘I want a boyfriend,’ And I'm like, ‘OK, let's make the step,’” Lange said.
Lange has always been Smaltz’s number-one supporter, she said she had never met a more kindhearted and intentional person than Smatlz.
“I hope she gets a boyfriend and it goes so well she’s like, ‘I just had the best night of my life,’” Lange said.
When Smaltz found out she had been selected for the date, she was nervous yet excited. She hoped to find a special someone with whom to settle down and begin her first relationship with.
Thinking about her dream man, Smaltz found it imperative that whoever she dated would follow the Christian faith, the same faith she practices.
“I was raised Christian, and I have a lot of healthy relationships in my life as role models and they're all focused around faith, so I find it really important to me to be involved in church,” Smaltz said.
While religion may not be a deal breaker, Smaltz said her ideal relationship is one centered around God.
“It's important for me and my (future) boyfriend to have the same faith so we can keep that centered in our relationship,” Smaltz said.
After completing her finishing touches of lip gloss and perfume, Smaltzs turns around to hug every one of her friends, as they say a mixture of “Good luck” and “I love you” to her.
Then she walks out the door, car keys in hand, ready for her date.
After The Date
Christian Smith:
Christian Smith and Shea Smaltz smile as they walk out of the Bella Cafe and Grille. For Smith, the date had been a success.
“I thought it was really nice,” Smith said. “It was really easy to talk to her.”
Not only did Smith enjoy the food, he also enjoyed the company of Smaltz, and was hopeful for a second date.
“I thought she was really pretty,” Smith said. “I’d really like to get to talk to her more.”
Although Smith had not been on many dates in the past, he said he liked the way he could easily talk to Smaltz.
“I feel like she was really intentional with trying to talk to me and actually get to know me,” Smith said.
Although the 20-year-old had felt nervous and slightly stressed out before his date, Smith said he felt better once he met Smaltz, and that his anxiety nearly disappeared.
“It kind of just went away,” Smith said. “We said hi . . . and just pretty much started talking from there.”
Although Smith did not know for sure, he was hopeful Smaltz would want to go on another date, and possibly consider a relationship with him.
“If I were to say, maybe she would want to go out on another one,” Smith said.
Shea Smaltz:
Tired feet drag against the hallway floors as Shea Smaltz enters her apartment after finishing her blind date with Christian Smith.
Due to their shared religion and small prayer before dinner, Smaltz said she knew she would instantly click with Smith and they would talk
all night.
“He was super kind and super nice, we had so much to talk about,” Smaltz said.
While Smaltz enjoyed her date, she said her search for romance will continue, as she found nothing more than a friendship with Smith.
“We connected better as friends. I definitely think I met a good friend out of this,” Smaltz said.
Smaltz's voice wavered disappointedly as she said they lacked romance. Nonetheless, she said she would forever be glad to have met Smith.
While she may not have found romance, Smaltz said this experience gave her the confidence to return to the dating field and find her true love.
“I haven't been on many dates, I haven't been in a relationship, so this brought me out of my comfort zone and makes me want to go on more dates,” Smaltz said.
MATTHEW MUELLER | STAFF
Shea Smaltz and Christian Smith talk during their blind date on Monday, Feb. 4, 2025, at Bella Cafe & Grille in Lexington, Kentucky.
Continued from page 7
Before The Date
CC RHEIN AND MIA STIVERS
CC Rhein:
As the dim fairy lights hung on the walls of CC Rhein’s apartment, the smell of floral essential oils wafted through the air.
There, the integrated strategic communications sophomore stood in her bathroom as she prepared for her first-ever blind date.
Rhein chose to wear a casual outfit: blue jeans, a plain top and a cream-colored cardigan.
“I feel pretty good, which is out of character because I usually am a nervous person,” Rhein said. “But this feels so lowkey because it’s a little silly.”
Although Rhein said her love life
has been “rather barren” and was eager to start dating and meeting new like-minded people.
“I like nice people, I like people that have a real passion for whatever it is that they’re doing,” Rhein said.
According to Rhein, who was in a band during highschool called “House Band,” she would describe herself as “theater adjacent,” and said hoped her date would be a fan of the arts as well.
As Rhein patted blush onto her face, she said she only had one major deal breaker– they had to have a sense of humor.
“I really enjoy comedy, I like improv, I like stand up,” Rhein said. “I just like when I laugh, so that’s something that matters a lot to me.”
As Rhein finished putting on her makeup, she made a quick joke to her roommate, sophomore Maddie Johnson, about what shoes she
“I hope that I like this girl,” Rhein said. “I don’t know, we’ll see . . . I’m just here for fun, it’s no biggie.”
After checking in to her reservation, Rhein sat down in a small booth in the corner of the restaurant, occasionally taking selfies to post to her social media account as a way to update her friends on the night.
Although Rhein did not know who her date would be, she did know one thing: she was eager to meet her.
Mia Stivers:
Mia Stivers patiently sits at her vanity, black eyeliner pen in hand as she confidently draws a line against her eyelid in one swift movement.
She reaches toward the makeup covered desk to grab her mauve lipstick, mascara in her other hand, to add the finishing touches on her carefully crafted makeup look.
Stivers, a 20-year-old sophomore, signed up for the blind date as a part of her 2025 motto to try new things and gain new life experiences.
should wear and the night that was to come. Johnson was eager for Rhein and the date that awaited her.
“I’m so excited for her,” Johnson said as she sat on the couch and watched her favorite comfort movie, “The Hunger Games.”
“I’m tired of her saying that she has no love life,” Johnson said.
After saying goodbye to her roommate, her betta fish Bubbles and snail Roomba, Rhein grabbed her pink bag and car keys.
The 20 year-old walked down her apartment complex steps to her car— where she then spent the next few moments listening to Ben Platt as she drove to her destination.
As Rhein drove, she admired the purple and orange haze of the sky.
As the 20-year-old parked her car and walked into the softly-lit Bella Cafe and Grille, she looked around anxiously.
As a political science major, politics are fundamental to Stivers. She said she needs someone whose morals align with her own because a differing political opinion is an immediate deal breaker.
“I don't want to be with someone who actively voted to take my rights away,” Stivers said.
Dating and political culture are thoroughly intertwined for Stivers. Growing up in a conservative small town, she always felt like an outsider and like she never truly fit in.
“I grew up in a very small town, but I also grew up in a very southern, very conservative small town, and it definitely shaped me in a lot of ways,” Stivers said, “I lean very left as far as politics go.”
Living in the small town of Danville, Kentucky, Stivers did not have much room to explore her sexuality, but she said she never felt scared of it either.
Continued on page 9
CHRISTIAN KANTOSKY | STAFF
CC Rhein applies mascara before her blind date on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, at her apartment in Lexington, Kentucky.
Continued from page 8
“It's (her sexuality) always been something that I've been very comfortable in, but I haven't had a lot of experience in dating girls because where I grew up, it wasn't very common,” Stivers said
After having experienced her only long-term relationship with a man, Stivers hoped her date that evening would be a woman.
Curling the last strands of her multicolored hair, the nerves finally set in, but excitement still overtook her mind.
After the short five-minute drive, blasting Gracie Abrams, Stivers was ready for her date.
The bang of a car door and the click of high heels were the only present sounds in the dark parking lot. Stivers walked through the glass door, across the wooden floor and, finally, to her date.
After the date
CC Rhein:
CC Rhein giggled as she stepped out of the Bella Cafe and Grille with her newly made connection — Mia Stivers.
The pair walked down the street, laughing together as they continued their conversation from earlier.
As Rhein and Stivers headed toward their cars, Rhein made a bold move, and offered her phone number to Stivers. Stivers accepted, and smiled as Rhein entered her number into her phone.
In the end, Rhein was happy with her date. In fact, she was eager to go on a second one with Stivers.
“I’d like to get coffee with her,” Rhein said. “We really enjoyed talking, so I think it would be good to just have more time to talk.”
According to Rhein, her wish for her date to have a sense of humor had come true.
“We have a lot of similar interests, we had a whole lot to talk
about,” Rhein said. “When she got there it was chill . . . she used the same descriptive word that I did for this, which is ‘silly.’”
The two even shared a love for Broadway musicals.
“Her favorite show is ‘Hadestown,’” Rhein said. “I have a ‘Hadestown’ tattoo.”
However, Rhein was a little nervous about one thing. Would Stivers text her and ask her on a second date?
“I didn’t get her number, I put my number in her phone,” Rhein said. “So I really hope she reaches out.”
As Rhein drove back to her apartment, the student said she was looking forward to telling her roommate all about the “silly” night.
“I feel like there’s so much pressure on dating,” Rhein said. “But it was really fun to just do a little silly thing, you know?”
Although Rhein didn’t know if she would receive a text from Stivers, Rhein still held a positive attitude for whatever was to come into her future, whether it was good or bad.
“Even had the date not gone quite as well, I still feel like I got a lot out of it in the preparation of dating,” Rhein said. “It was just fun, and it was a good time.”
Mia Stivers:
In a fit of giggles, the pair stumbled through the quiet, dimly lit street — eyes set on each other as they exchanged numbers.
Stivers put her number in her date CC Rhein’s phone as soon as the date ended, hoping to set up a second date.
“I'll definitely be reaching out,” Stivers said. “We connected really well. We had a lot of very similar interests and life experiences.”
Stivers described their connection as instantaneous. Stivers and Rhein fell so deep into conversations that two hours had passed, and the restaurant was closed before they knew it.
“I was honestly kind of sad to be leaving. If it were up to me, I would
CHRISTIAN KANTOSKY | STAFF
CC Rhein and Mia Stivers meet for their blind date on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025,
CHRISTIAN KANTOSKY| STAFF
CC Rhein and Mia Stivers exchange phone numbers after their blind date.
have probably sat there for a couple more hours and just kept talking,” Stivers said.
Through their hours of conversation, Stivers concluded that she and Rhein shared many similar core be-
liefs and morals, which were important for her coming into the date.
Stivers then walked back toward the bright pink door of Gamma Phi Beta with a smile on her face and a hopeful new relationship.
at Bella Cafe & Grille in Lexington, Kentucky.
The best movies to enjoy on Valentine’s Day
By Aidan Dillard-Hijikata, Hannah Piedad and Sylvia Freire opinions@kykernel.com
Valentine’s Day offers the perfect opportunity to dine with friends at a nice restaurant, surprise loved ones with a gift or have a self-care day to relax during a busy semester.
Regardless of your plans, it’s crucial to end Valentine’s Day by enjoying a movie to celebrate the holiday.
The opinions team has provided recommendations for the best movies to enjoy this Valentine’s Day.
“AMÉLIE (2001)”
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for movies about romance, but for love in general. “Amélie” is a French romantic comedy in French about a waitress named Amélie, who had a peculiar childhood. Her life changes when she finds a time capsule in the wall of her home that belonged to a man who lived there before.
On her quest to give back this nostalgic treasure, she becomes fascinated with helping others find love and happiness in their own lives. Taking place in Paris, the city of love, Amélie finds a new appreciation for life through her small acts of kindness.
Audrey Tautou, the actress who plays Amélie, is truly brilliant in this film. Her facial expressions bring her character’s personality to life. Even with the language barrier, the whimsical nature of this film makes anyone mesmerized by where the story takes you. Amélie deserves more recognition than it is given, not only cinematically, but overall.
“MARRIAGE STORY (2019)"
Most Valentine’s Day movies are soppy, predictable rom-coms that all feel the exact same. What if it got shaken up a bit?
Do you want to watch a hyper-realistic depiction of a… well, marriage story? Well, then the Netflix Original “Marriage Story” might be for you!
The movie tracks two New York theater workers, one an acclaimed playwright and director (Adam Driver) and his actress, soon-to-be ex-wife (Scarlett Johansson), as well as their talkative and inquisitive eight-year-old son (Azhy Roberston) as they navigate
their way through one of those “let’s stay friends” divorces. Drama, of course, ensues, and the emotional baggage of completely upending one’s life to make a change is front and center.
I won’t lie to you, this movie is melancholy throughout, but it ends on a… I won’t spoil it for you. It has some of the most genuine and realistic acting that I have ever seen, it’s won awards out of the wazoo and its soundtrack is awesome—I mean, what else do I need to say?
“50 FIRST DATES (2004)”
Both hilarious and heartbreaking, “50 First Dates” captures the complexities and sacrifice that love often comes with. Starring on-screen legends Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, this movie is a must-watch during the Valentine's Day season.
“50 First Dates” follows Henry Roth (Sandler), a single bachelor living in Hawaii, who meets Lucy Whitmore (Barrymore) by chance at a local restaurant. Connecting with her almost instantly, Roth decides to pursue a relationship with her, approaching her again on a different day at the cafe.
However, after she doesn’t recognize him upon meeting for a second time, Roth learns that Whitmore suffers from anterograde amnesia. This causes her to lose her memory at the beginning of each day. Essentially, she lives every day thinking it’s the day she got into the car wreck that resulted in her amnesia.
“50 First Dates” keeps audience members glued to their seats, as Roth persistently tries to help Whitmore with her condition. Barrymore and Sandler’s performances in this movie are just the icing on the cake, as “50 First Dates” plot alone is gripping and worthy of applause. The delicate balance between humor and drama is perfected in this movie, making it both a lighthearted and engaging watch.
A Valentine's Spotify playlist, curated by the Kernel staff
Scan to fall in love
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