There are two types of people on Valentine’s Day; the kind that has a gift ready months in advance, and the kind that gets one an hour before. Both techniques have their pros and cons, but what makes a good gift, the item itself or the thought behind the item?

Assistant principal Rob Lindquist said he and his wife agree on gifts and get the same gifts for each other every year.

“I give my wife a pair of running shoes every Valentine’s Day. She gives me time to do our taxes. The best of both worlds,” said Lindquist.

History teacher Anita Penner says it isn’t really about the gift but spending time with her husband.

“The best Valentine’s Day gift I have ever gotten was last year. My husband and I closed our house on Valentine’s Day last year, so we were able to officially purchase and move into our house,” said Penner. “It was the best Valentine’s Day gift because we got to spend it together creating memories that will last forever.”

Junior Teagan Keyes says her best gift was customizable.

“The best Valentine’s gifts I’ve received have been these homemade glitter roses my lovely boyfriend made, a Funko Pop that was made to look like me, and another to look like my cat that he adores,” said Keyes.

The thought behind the gift is what really matters according to students and staff at AL. It doesn’t matter if it’s the last minute or unplanned if it’s thoughtful and matters to the people in the relationship.