Forget roses and Dove chocolates—spreading Valentine’s Day cheer can be much more creative.
Take, for example, Dr. Hills’ Valentine to his colleague Dr. Bruce. Professor Hills was in the middle of his 3 p.m. American Thought and Culture lecture when Kent Wilson and Peter Ellis interrupted by serenading Dr. Bruce with Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.”
“He kind of was laughing and then the class cheered and clapped,” said freshman Mary Boyd. “Then Hills said, ‘So, class, do you think I got my five dollars’ worth?’”
Corban students Wilson, Ellis and Claire Clubb sold $5 Valentine’s telegrams for those wishing to spread the love to a special someone, or simply embarrass them. Everyone who walked by their table in Schimmel jumped at the opportunity to give a unique and fun gift.
Hannah Yocum surprised her boyfriend, Jesse Belleque, when Clubb and Ellis showed up in the Balyo lobby to sing to him. Apparently he liked the song.
“He was smiley and happy afterwards,” said Yocum.
It was not just students who were victims of the romantic serenading, but professors as well. Caitlin Taylor bought a song for Tamara McGinnis, while Heidi Stowman received a special gift in the form of Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours.”
“Do you want us to sing to you now?” said Stowman after Ellis finished his song.
Besides Jason Mraz and Aerosmith, the jazzy musicians’ set list included classic romantic tunes from Frank Sinatra, Adele, Taylor Swift, Etta James, Nat King Cole, Plain White T’s, and Blake Shelton.
Ellis said that the most requested song was Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing,” while “You Belong with Me” by Taylor Swift was a popular choice among the men giving Valentines to their male friends.
Wilson, who sang while Ellis accompanied him with vocals and guitar, said that the “awkward ones and the look on their faces” were his favorite people to serenade.
Although the day was a challenge to coordinate and schedule the multiple telegrams, their proceeds amounted to around $100. The proceeds are going toward the Spring Break L.A. mission trip, which Ellis is co-leading with Corban student Cori Lydic.