Valentine's Day Edition '22

tell them you love them

We think these days we don't say I love you enough. To yourself, to your friends, to your family members, or to your idols. This Valentine's Day, we decided to give some love back and share it, since we've received so much of it in these few short years The Coop has existed. So, we ask you to do an ancient practice: write a love letter.

Let's make Valentine's Day bigger than romance.

A Love Poem to My Friend

She’s the stranger who wiped my tears without ever knowing they were falling

The “hey girlie” that would never fail to revive me from my 4 hours of sleep

The perfectly imperfect chatterbox who somehow chose to be MY friend

She is vanilla almond butter scooped with a plastic spoon

The person who wakes up early on a Saturday… to study

But will throw down with a redbull and a dance floor

A to-do list arranged - neurotically - by the hour, but almost never checked off

1 million unanswered text messages - a “just seeing this!” 2 weeks late

A celsius-driven lifting addict

Who rarely passes judgment

But will always, always offer a hug

She’s the spice in the spiced chai from Bella Union

The limited edition peppermint tums she pops like candy

And the bright pink hue of her alo workout set

Or the Duke blue hue of her cameron crazie wig

The secretive personalized Christmas list she sent to my Mom - the gift that keeps on giving

The kale salad, sweet potato, salmon meal from sprout

Followed by the cheesecake brownie for dessert - never.forget.

The dsg, pre-med, professional online shopper, cleaning tzar, “immune to covid” queen

But most notably, my beautiful friend

Love,

Hot Sauce

To my best friend,

I love you because you are everything I've ever looked for. You are the light in my life, my first call, my first thought. You love me for me, supporting me to be better, and all I want is to be more like you. So when I see you crying because you want to be more like me or another girl, I don't understand. You're not just my best friend, you're so many other's. I share you with so many people, but I've learned to be ok with that because having even a part of you is more than the whole of someone else. I love you, and I hope one day you love you the way that I do.

Love,

Your best friend

To the friend I met by accident,

I met you inside a closet. Trying to make up lies about my backstory to try trick to you into continuing the conversation did not work at all but it was worth a try. I kept getting closer to you because of a mutual friend but already felt so distanced. Brief intermissions made me realize I wanted you in my life more than I thought, both for your conversations and for your company. You will always cheer me up even if it’s an apology for saying a stupid joke and I can’t wait for a million more jokes and laughs with you.

Love,

Honorary resident

To my best friend,

I love you because I have yet to find anyone who compares to you. You give me butterflies every time you catch my stare, laugh at a joke, our smile that infectious smile. I know I shouldn’t love you, but I do. And when you kissed me that one time after that one drunken night, I knew this love wasn’t going anywhere.

Love,

Your best friend

To my little sister,

I love you because you make me the happiest, proudest, and loudest laughing older sister! I can’t wait to spend our next two years together🧚🏻‍♀️🧚🏻‍♀️ Thanks for making me the best version of myself while being the wonderful adorable cutie you are xoxoxoxo

Love,

Older sister cutie munchkin girl

To the barista at Beyu,

I love you because you see everyone at their worst (aka before an 8:30), and you never fail to deliver exactly what we need. Hot drinks for cold hands, iced coffees as winter deniers brave the icy ground. You save us every morning; so if we don't tell you enough, thank you.

Love,

A caffeine addict

My lost friend,

I’m not sure if it was time or just the terrible irony of the situation that drew us apart but I still care. I may not know who is your newest crush or what your plans are for your weekend but I know your deepest fears, your favorite color, and your favorite taco spot. Walked through so many firsts of life with you by my side. I’ve licked away saccharine melted drips of ice cream on summer nights with you, raced you for miles until I couldn’t feel my limbs, and learned with each radical exuberance for your every success what it means to feel true joy for others. Then you were my mentor and friend in tandem. Now we are strangers. Perhaps, we will never talk again or, just maybe one day we will embrace once again in a hug that always feels like home. I may not know you now, in fact the you I knew could be completely gone. Vanished. Transformed into a new you, freshly minted by a new life, new hopes, new friends. Yet, whenever I see your Instagram post and see your smiles—your triumphs I know for certain you are taking steps to being the you I always knew you could be: happy and strong; free and beautiful. I smile. I lick my lips, it is bittersweet. It tastes of the love I will always have for you, my first true friend. Tu me manques (you are missing from me).

Love,

To my biggest supporter,

I love you because you are the person who is always there for me. We have been through so much together and I feel sometimes you know me better than myself. My love for you is unconditional and I will always be here to support you as you have been for me :)

Love,

To someone I admire,

I love you because your ambition, passion and drive helps me everyday. You are my greatest role model and I am so lucky to have such a deserving and successful person to look up to in life.

Love,

To my mama,

I love you because you have shown me what it looks like to be selfless and you have taught me how to stay strong in the toughest of times. Most of all, you remind me to have courage and be kind.

Love,

My daily McDonald's Sprite,

I love you because you are the consistency in my day, the 10pm wakeup I so desperately need, and you possess just the right amount of static to quench my cravings.

Love,

A loyal consumer

To someone who may be struggling,

I love you because you are strong, you are worthy, and you can do this. Believe in yourself, just like others do. Keep your head up, and try to find happiness in the little things. Pick yourself back up when times get tough. You are beautiful, and unique. People are lucky to know you.

I believe in you. Sending oceans of love.

Love,

Your #1 supporter

To my favorite Kraft House worker,

I love you because you remember my order. You make me feel welcome. You do not get angry when I ask for more ketchup. You always come and pick up my trash. You are the best!

Love,

To my cat,

I love you because even though you bite and scratch me every time I try to pet you, I will still call you my little baby kitty and snuggle you against your will. I love you as much as you hate me.

Love,

The girl who scoops your litter box

To my roommate,

I love you because you always know exactly the right songs to play for every mood, with special attention given to Adele and Taylor Swift. You can always tell when something is wrong and check in on me, even when I think I'm acting perfectly normal. Debriefing the day before we fall asleep is always my favorite part of my day. I love how cute and vibey our room is all the time, and I love how we can never get anything done in our room if we're both there because I think of so many things that I want to tell you. I love our candy bowl that we always keep full to assert our dominance as the most elite tower roommate duo. I love when we get each other little random presents to brighten each other's day. I love you because I know that in 10 years, you will have the most fun reunions for our friends because that's the kind of person that you are. You are one of the most genuinely caring people I've ever met, and I count my blessings every day that I get to call you my roommate.

Love,

To my brother,

I love you because you have the unique ability to make me laugh harder than anyone else I've ever known. You bring your hilarious personality and positive spirit into every room you enter and spread joy and light wherever you go. Thank you for being someone that can always find a way to make me smile even on the most exhausting, draining, or difficult of days. I feel so incredibly lucky to have you double as both a sibling and a best friend.

Love,

Dear JB,

I love you because it’s kinda hard to resist. I’d want to protect you from anything that could every hurt you because your happiness is so special to me; luckily you’re a tank who squats frat boys which obviously demonstrates your ability to deal with anything. Its incredible to find someone who’s best quality is being the ultimate friend so lucky me for the rest of my life.

Love,

Cooch (pun seriously not intended)

To the only people I can't get sick of,

I love you because you make me feel at home, even after being gone for so long. Everything feels in place when we are together. I could spend my days wasting away with y'all.

Love,

To my dearest roommates/bestfriends,

I love you because you listen to every single one of my crazy stories, are both the best people to go out with and to just hang out with, and continue to impress me with how funny, smart, and lovely you all are. life would not be life at all without you guys. I love you all :)

Love,

To the random stranger who smiles as I pass,

I love you because you show me kindness even though you have no idea who I am. You look up when everyone else stares at their boots. You share glances with generosity, and pass on your smile to all who see. I hope someone makes your day like you made mine.

Love,

Anyone you see

To my other half,

I love you because you are the greatest part of my days here. I’m so glad that the universe decided to bring us together. You’re my best friend, my soulmate, and I will continue to make pinky promises with you till we no longer can. Love you always loser

Love,

To my end game,

I love you because we’ve known each other for so many years and have always had an undeniable connection. I know how I feel about you and I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to realize it. Being vulnerable is scary, letting myself open up about my life is scary, letting someone new into my insane world is scary but, being with you is anything but. Being with you is comfortable and happy. I miss you, Happy Valentine’s Day.

Love,

Your love

To my best friend,

I love you because you let me be myself in a way that I've never experienced before. I know who I am around you. i love the person you are and the person you’re allowing me to become. <3 Love you sunshine

Love,
AT

To my rock,

I love you because you know me better than I know myself. You read me like a poem you'd already memorized before I even say "hello". Our friendship goes beyond words, beyond explanation, and beyond the distance that now separates us. I miss you, and I am excited to see you soon.

Love,

The sister you picked up along the way

To my person,

I love you because you make me the best version of myself. you make the world feel brighter and better. you give me a home base. You taught me what it means to love and to feel loved. You are Duke's greatest gift. I love you. I don't say it enough.

Love,

To my O-week friends,

I love that despite the fact that we have never gotten any of those lunches we always try to organize, we still act like besties when we run into each other. You made my first week so much easier (as easy as it could be, at least). Let's try to get that lunch this week.

Love,

The loud girl you met on the C1 in August

To my one interesting class this semester,

Thank you for being the one reprieve from my boring required major classes that I always fall asleep in. You are the one thing getting me to actually do my homework every night.

Love,

The girl who participates arguably too much

Dear Mom,

I love you because you are vulnerable to me while being my greatest role model. I love you because you continue to hold my hand through new, weird experiences at college. I love knowing that I will always have a home in you.

Love,

Gudiya (doll)

To the lady of my life,

Thank you for:

The messages you send to let me know you’re thinking of me even when you know I probably won’t reply. For being there and for picking up the phone to talk even in your busiest weeks.

Supporting me through my decision to move halfway across the world away from your for College.

For inviting me into your family as if it was my own.

For sharing all your thoughts with me, even if they aren’t glorious.

Dancing at absurd hours to absurd songs.

The hundreds of hugs that you have given me.

I love you and miss you so.

Thinking of you far away,

Love,

ADP

To my sister,

I love you because you are my best friend and strongest supporter. I am so proud of everything you do and the person you are becoming.

Love,

Dear roommate + best friend,

I love you because you are as beautiful inside as you are out. you are incredibly kind and selfless & your generosity never ceases to amaze me.

Love,

To my younger sister,

I love you because you are so unapologetically yourself despite everyone else’s best efforts to put you into a box. I love your confidence, your wit, and your determination.

Love,

To my friends that are family,

I love you because you accept me for who I am even when I can’t seem to find myself acceptable. I love all of you so much, forever.

Love,

To my brother,

Love,

To my advice giver,

I love you because you are my rock. You are the reason I am who I am today. You are my best friend. I know I don't say it enough but I appreciate all of the countless hours you have spent looking out for me and giving me advice on anything and everything. You inspire me to do what makes me happy and to surround myself with those who value me. I admire and love you endlessly.

Love,

To the woman at Cafe,

I love you because you always greet me with excitement and a smile despite the hours of work you have to put in this year as a result of the pandemic. You inspire me.

Love,

Mi niña

To my Chabad family,

I love you because you keep me grounded and give me something to look forward to all week.

Love,

To JParks,

I love you because you always put a smile on my face :)

Love,

King B

My best friends,

I love you because you are always there for me and I’m at my happiest when I’m with y’all!

Love,

To my inspiration,

I love you because you are the most caring, hardworking, and determined person I know. You will go so far in this world and I can't wait to be there cheering you on :)

Love,

To my grandma,

I love you because you get even more wise, confident, and vivacious as the years go on. I hope to be exactly like you when I grow up.

Love,

Dear Mom,

Although we often butt heads, I can come to you with anything. Your unwavering support of my aspirations and happiness mean more to me than anything else in this world. Without you by my side, I wouldn't be the woman I am today. Your strength is inspirational, and your love is a blessing.

Love,

Dear ES,

I love you because I do have an agenda to be adopted by your family. You expand my mind with your schemes, your life stories and your kindness every single day. Thank you for being my 5’8 reminder at Duke of the power of hope, how easy happiness will come if I choose it and how to love honestly.

Love,

Your soon to be ROOMMATE

To my roomie,

I love you because you love me even when my side of the room gets messy.

Love,

Your wife

To my future roomies,

I love you because you both brighten up my day and make me so happy.

Love,

Your soon to be roommate!

To the woman at Cafe,

I love you because you always greet me with excitement and a smile despite the hours of work you have to put in this year as a result of the pandemic. You inspire me.

Love,

Mi niña

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