Opinion

No date? No worries; why friends are the real Valentine's lifesaver

One of my favorite memories is celebrating Valentine’s Day with close college friends a few years before I married

By Stephanie Lundquist-Arora Fox News

Published February 14, 2026 9:00am EST

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Chef Joe Calderone, creative director for Serendipity 3, joins 'Fox & Friends' to showcase its Diamond Frrrozen Hot Chocolate for Valentine's Day.

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My friend recently told me that her favorite Valentine’s Day was a few decades ago in second grade, when her playground crush called to say he loved her. 

"It’s been all downhill from there," she joked.

Another friend said her most cherished memory was when her fifth-grade love interest bought her a bracelet. "And nothing positive since," she told us, in jest, during the same conversation.

While Valentine’s Day can be a meaningful reminder to celebrate a cherished romantic relationship — even after elementary school — it can also be fraught with dread, obligation and the letdown of unrealistic expectations.

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A male friend once told me he refuses to celebrate Valentine’s Day........

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