Everyone knows the most popular part of this month is Valentine’s Day. Couples get to spend time with their significant others and cherish each other even more than usual. Love is a truly fascinating feeling that can be found all around us, even at Apopka High. The Blue and White interviewed several couples to see how love has stood the test of time.
Mr. and Mrs. Houvouras:
Mr. and Mrs. Houvouras are one of the most iconic couples here on campus. If you get the chance to talk to either of them, anyone can see that they love each other dearly. The couple met in 1991 at Florida State University through a co-ed service fraternity. “Well at first I did not like him because he is super cocky and I found that obnoxious, and then he just kind of grows on you,” Mrs. Houvouras explained. Although she may have not been too fond of Mr. Houvouras at first, it worked out in the end. “We’re best friends. We get along disgustingly well. We don’t argue; we don’t fight; we don’t snipe at each other.” Similarly, Mr. Houvouras said, “If there’s a disagreement, we settle it quickly, because there’s a whole lot of life to live without being annoyed or angry at someone.” Besides working well with each other, the couple also adore one another sickeningly. “He’s ridiculously smart,” she shared, “…and he is very funny. Probably not as funny as he thinks he is, but he is very very funny.” When asked how she makes him feel, Mr. Houvouras responded that he felt like he won. “No one I know married someone better than my wife. I don’t know anyone who outdid me in that category. To me, I’m the Super Bowl champion of romance because no one has it better than me.” Surprisingly enough, the couple that is overflowing with love does not celebrate Valentine’s Day together. “When you’re with someone that you want to be with, every day is like Valentine’s Day, so you don’t need a particular day to point that out. Also, they just jack up the prices on everything on Valentine’s Day, and I’m cheap,” commented Mrs. Houvouras.
Anything else you would like to tell your partner?
To Mr. Houvouras: “He is so lucky to have me, but I am equally lucky to have him.”
To Mrs. Houvouras: “There’s nothing that I could tell her that I haven’t already told her. If a lightning bolt strikes me dead right here in the middle of the school while having this interview, my wife is not going to wonder if I loved her or not, she already knows.”
Hayden Warner:
Junior Hayden Warner has been dating his girlfriend for about a year now. They met through Apopka High School’s Fashion Club and connected through a common interest in The Smiths. “The moment I laid eyes on her, it was kind of like from there I automatically had, not just an interest in her, but an attraction to her,” he shared, “…once we started talking, the amount of chemistry we had, and the ease of talking with her was what set her apart instantly.” When asked what his favorite trait of hers was, he said, “It’s kind of cliche, but her love. I would say her personality, but I know a lot of people with good personalities, obviously no one with her personality, but the way that she loves, not just me, but the people in her life.” He further elaborated, “Just the level of affection and love, regardless of how difficult it is, is not only something that I try to learn from, but something that I really admire.” For Valentine’s Day this year, the two of them are going to a cafe with a retro photo booth. “She’s been talking about it since we started dating, so I’m finally going to be able to take her there.”
Anything else you would like to tell your partner?
To Anubia: “I know you won’t be hearing this because you graduated last year, but I hope you know how much I love you.”
Mr. Russell:
Many know Mr. Russell is a Christian Conservative man with many opinions, but many don’t know how much he loves people, especially his wife. He first met her at church and gradually fell in love with her as time progressed. “I was taught that you would meet the mate God has chosen for you on your path of Christian service. True to form – that is how we met.” Although some people have a specific moment in which they realize they want to marry their partner, that is not the case for Russell. “There was no specific point, I just gradually realized I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her and couldn’t stand to be without her.” To him, his wife is someone he’s proud of and makes him feel valued. Now going on 36 years, the couple plan on celebrating their Valentines by going to Red Lobster. “…Mrs. Durham will chuckle at this.”
Anything else you would like to tell your partner?
To Mrs. Russell: “She was the 2nd best decision I ever made. I’m not sure my best decision will pass the censor here!”
Mr. and Mrs. Langford:
Another popular couple on this campus is the Langfords. Together for around 20 years and married for 19, the Langfords have one of the most interesting love stories that make you feel like some people were fated to be together. If you’re already amazed by how long they’ve been together, it’s even more of a surprise that they’ve known each other since high school. “She went to another school, but we knew each other through Band,” Mr. Langford shared. It is a small world after all. It wasn’t until they met to teach a band camp together did they get to know each other. Even then, Mrs. Langford wasn’t looking to get with him yet. “I was actually trying to set him up with another teacher at my school,” she explained. On Mr. Langford’s side, he recalled, “She looked at me and asked ‘Well, Jeremy, what’s your type?’ I turned and looked at her and said ‘you.’” Following that, an important part of what has made their relationship last so long is their honesty with each other. However, it’s not just honesty that makes them work; it’s their pure love for one another. “My favorite trait is his kindness. Jeremy will bend over backward to try and make me happy,” Mrs. Langford expressed. Additionally, Mr. Langford told us that his favorite trait of hers was being whatever was needed to inspire those around her, and her ability to energize the room. Similar to the Houvouras’ the two are not planning anything big for Valentine’s Day, but it’s not needed for couples like them who feel endless amounts of love for each other every single day.
Anything else you would like to tell your partner?
To Mr. Langford: Together it will be forever you and me. Can’t wait until our next adventure! Love you!
To Mrs. Langford: Forever it will be, together you and me.
Natalie and Syleena:
Another couple that met on our very own campus are Syleena Carter and Natalie Davis. The two juniors met in Ms. Gardiner’s AP Lang class. “Either she followed me on Instagram or I followed her on Instagram,” Syleena said. “We were talking on Instagram for a long time, through Instagram notes,” Natalie added. Their interest in each other first started from having a lot in common, a frequent pattern amongst the couples at this school. But what better way to know someone than through shared interest? The two have been together since Thanksgiving Break, and although it isn’t as long as some of the other couples, it was long enough for the two to be charmed by each other. This year, they’re giving each other secret gifts to celebrate the day of love.
Love comes in many forms, as seen by all the couples interviewed. For some, it just pours right out of them. So much so that it was impossible to fit everything that was said without making this longer than an essay. It goes to show that love is a wonderful and beautiful feeling. Everyone should be able to enjoy that.
