Romance
College romances are one part of the college experience, and Florida State University couples have been writing their names on the walls of The Sweet Shop for years to eternalize their love and relationship. Whether or not they are still together, these texts represent a time that these couples wanted to remember and share with others.
This artifact portrays a classic romantic representation of a couple as Luke and Katie leave their names on a booth wall and have encased their names in a heart with "xoxo." They are one of many sweetheart remembrances throughout the business. As couples have come in throughout the years, they choose The Sweet Shop to leave a piece of their relationship behind to remember their time together spent at Florida State University. It is a staple to the college community. While it is unknown if The Sweet Shop had a specific meaning to the couple, it is a sweet gesture to proclaim one's love in a public space as this that will stand the test of time, even if the relationship will not.
Jared and Danea leave their names together and the year "1984." It is not entirely known when Jared and Danea wrote this, as they could have done it in the year stated. Or this text could be an instance where the couple has returned to campus. Many of these examples are found throughout the building. They sought out the business with the purpose of showing how their love of the university and each other has continued throughout the years.
As one of the more recent and time-specific artifacts, this text created by Julia and Teddy on June 30th, 2016, was left with their intention of the two of them staying together forever, as stated in their message. While this is unknown if this unfolded, it is reminiscent of young relationships where couples believe that their love is forever. This artifact is a beautiful sentiment for the strong emotions experienced in relationships and the bonds created between students at the university. Relationships are a common aspect of the college experience. Many choose to leave these remembrances for their relationships on these walls. Any couple who comes into the shop can look back on decades worth of different relationships and think back on who these people were, if their relationships lasted and if they share any of the memories or experiences they are currently while being a couple in college together.