R: Bros Before Fine, Upstanding, Young Women

As Valentine's Day rolls around this year, some of us are torn between our friendly relations and our romantic liaisons—existing or imaginary. Should one type of relationship take precedence over the other, especially in this exciting period of our lives? Should the young single man or woman focus on cultivating platonic relationships rather than courting romantic interests? Maybe romance is too restrictive—it can tie us down with one person for a very long time—and perhaps we need the diversity of multiple casual acquaintances to broaden our college and post-graduation experience. But then why should we ever restrict ourselves in this way at all? Is all romance bad? I hope not! Some would say that only in a romantic, loving relationship do we grow to appreciate another person more than we appreciate ourselves—that loving another actually makes us more human. Still, many of us who will be alone come Friday have good reason to think that this is all a bunch of hodgepodge.