fRee
feBRUaRy
ChaRLestOn, sC
esCape the ORdInaRy
Close your eyes. Remember the smell of the Valentine’s Day cards we used to get in grade school? And how your heart soared when one of them was from your crush in the second row? We blush just remembering how we used to stare at the back of their head instead of learning how to solve for the x in math class. Now that we’re all grown up, whether we’re with our one true or this one will do, February can sometimes disappoint us. We’ll never tell you to lower your expectations when we know you deserve better. You deserve to be swept off of your feet, have your world rocked, have all the sweet nothings in the world whispered into your ears, kiddo. Let’s go back to simpler times. Homemade
Valentines,
heart-shaped
boxes, trying to predict our future from the sayings on candy conversation hearts: True Love. Amore. Swoon. Only You. Kiss Me. My Pal. In our class, everyone’s Valentine’s mailbox is overflowing. Let us call you sweetheart on your Facebook page and send a “good morning, beautiful” text. If it was 2009, we’d send you a “love you forever” GIF via email. If it was 1999, we’d make you a mix CD of love songs. If it was 1989, we’d hold hands side by side at the roller skating rink. If it was 1979, we’d disco until we dropped. Do the magic that you do to summon your always hopeful inner child. Get out the red construction paper, paste, and glitter. Make something from your heart. This issue comes from ours. And just one more thing: Will you be our Valentine?
Cover art: Kristen solecki
“Love is not about who you live with. It's about who you can't live without” Rafael Ortiz
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1/20/17 3:16:27 PM