Luna Garcia

As Miami Palmetto Senior High steps into 2024, their aspirations for love take center stage. Love forms the universal thread connecting individuals, platonically or romantically. This year, many believe that having a list of self-wants on the topic will lead them to the right path.

Communication is a must when it comes to love in 2024. Without compatible communication, it is almost certain that a relationship is destined to fail.

“I think it is so necessary for you to be able to talk to one another. I would so much rather you double text me than not at all because it shows me how much you care,” U.S. Government Honors teacher Kailey Almonte said.

Along with Almonte, junior Jazmin Mason believes that communication is not only key for a relationship but also for oneself.

“You need to know how the other person feels in order for the relationship to be strong. You have to know what you’re doing wrong in order to fix it, and I think that it’s better for yourself too. Relationships teach you a lot about what you want and don’t want, and when you express your interests, it helps build meaningful connection,” Mason said.

Alongside effective communication, many believe that remembering one’s self-worth and love is crucial, ensuring that a relationship does not diminish one’s light.

“Even though this may sound conceited, I believe a must for love in 2024, is to just be self-centered. I want to focus more on doing self-love activities even in a relationship, like taking myself out on adventures and doing pamper routines,” Clerical Assistant Sadhna Seunarine said.

While Seunarine emphasizes the importance of knowing one’s worth, senior Adrian Morales supports this notion by highlighting the significance of taking time for oneself in relationships.

“Taking time for yourself helps a lot in relationships because if you’re not secure with yourself, how can you be secure with someone else? I believe everyone should take time with meditation and just understanding the real ins of yourself,” Morales said.

A big “out” for the Panthers this year is toxicity. Being toxic leads to disrespect, whether it be by cheating or lying about even the smallest matters.

Trust is big for many partners. Without it, one cannot have a stable relationship. 

“I think there are a bunch of things that go wrong with relationships because of a lack of trust,” junior Daniel Fandino said. 

In any type of relationship, trust is one of the most important things. It creates a bond between one and their partner, and without it, one might feel unsafe or uncomfortable. 

In addition to trust, many students feel like close friendships with the other gender can be very complicated for many relationships and seen as an “out.” People tend to get jealous when their partners are constantly giving attention to another person in a more-than-friends manner.

“Don’t talk to other men, and don’t cheat on me, would probably have to be my biggest out,” junior Ethan Lopez said. 

  Respect is important because it helps individuals in a relationship set boundaries. People who do not believe it is important in relationships may be prone to a negative one.

“Respecting one another’s boundaries and making sure that each individual gets the same amount of undivided attention, regardless of fights or arguments. Arguments are not an excuse for disrespect,” Security guard Trevon Hughes said.

As the MPSH community embarks on the journey through 2024, their collective reflections on love reveal a shared desire for fulfilling relationships.