Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Little cut-out hearts and cupids hang from every self-respecting school teacher’s walls. Flower shops look as if they’ve been doused in Pepto Bismol. Even Eddie Bauer, a store I usually respect, has huge sweater ads hanging in its windows with a couple holding hands and the phrase “It must be love.”

Excuse me while I gag.

Actually, I like Valentine’s Day. It’s a happy holiday, reminding us of the importance of love — plus it’s an excuse to whine about not getting flowers. As long as I don’t have to hear any Michael Bolton songs, the day should be OK.

But there’s one person I feel sorry for this Valentine’s Day. One person who may be a little sadder than last year or the year before. One person who really needs a hug.

Monica Samille Lewinsky.

On Feb. 1, Monica was deposed by the House Managers of President Clinton’s Impeachment trial. Excerpts of her testimony were shown to the Senate and the country Saturday.

For the first time, the country saw and heard Monica at the same time — the big brown eyes and layered, coifed hair so often seen in photographs along with the voice gushing about “the big creep” on the infamous Tripp tapes together at last.

There was nothing new in either the questions or the answers during Monica’s deposition; her testimony didn’t hurt or help the president. We can only guess as to why it was so important to Senate Republicans to see Monica’s testimony, but it did give “the American people” enormous insight into this young woman.

Monica testified before the House Managers as a changed woman. Gone was any trace of the schoolgirl immaturity found in the Tripp tapes. Instead, Monica was calm and composed, answering questions honestly and without pretense.

Monica has probably realized how fascinating a role she’s played in a monumental moment in American history. One little crush (along with a commander-in-chief’s absolute stupidity) has given Monica something she probably always wanted, but never in this way: infamy.

Monica’s testimony solidified her peculiar place in this whole mess. Her role is essential to Clinton’s impeachment, but it’s not clearly defined anymore.

The House Managers tried to paint Monica as the victim during their presentation to the Senate. But she’s really never been the victim.

Yes, she’s young, but she knew what she was doing. She entered into the “relationship” with the president of her own accord, and she knew all along how he felt about her and where the relationship was going. She also knew all along that he was married.

But that doesn’t mean Monica is the only one to blame here, either. Yes, her choices were a little on the dumb side, but as they say, love is dumb. (I don’t remember who says that, but I’m sure someone does.)

And Monica may have been a little shortsighted and childish, but she truly did care for the creep — I mean, Clinton. And hey, you can’t choose who you love. (That’s our cheesy Valentine’s Day expression for today.)

Monica’s not the victim or the criminal in this whole mess. She’s just another girl with another sad story on Valentine’s Day. I can just see her in 50 years, relating her story of presidential puppy love to her grandchildren, much as she did to Sen. Bryant last week.

As Bryant asked her about a conversation with Vernon Jordan, Monica related Jordan teasing her about being in love with the president. Bryant asked her what she said, and she smiled and responded, “I probably blushed or giggled or something.”

How perfectly Monica.

So as this Valentine’s Day approaches, don’t feel lonely, Monica. You’ve made some mistakes, but you held your head high when it counted.

Enjoy some Michael Bolton on me.

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Sara Ziegler is a junior in journalism and mass communication from Sioux Falls, S.D.