Her fingers outstretched, Sabina Andirova hovered indecisively over a pile of paper doilies, foil hearts and colored construction paper, trying to find the perfect materials to create her very first valentine.

A native of Kazakhstan, Andirova said she's always been fascinated by the story of St. Valentine, but has never had the chance to make a valentine before Tuesday. The Oregon State University freshman heard that a student group on campus was supplying materials for handmade greetings, and she hurried over to the Memorial Union to try her hand.

"Oh, this is so awesome," Andirova said as she began carefully gluing pieces of paper together to form a card for a friend.

OSU Peer Health advocate Katy McHenry gave Andirova a little guidance as she worked on her own valentine.

"This reminds me of being a kid," McHenry said. "I used to make all my valentines."

But the activity was more than just paper hearts and shiny stickers. As part of OSU's first "Body Positive Week," the Peer Advocates joined with the OSU Women's Center, Male Advocates for Responsible Sexuality (MARS) and OSU Counseling and Psychological Services to create events aimed at questioning negative images of beauty and sexuality.

To stir up dialogue about beauty and sex, a small group of volunteers passed out candy-filled valentines with messages such as "Health is sexy" and encouraged passers-by to take a more positive view of their own bodies, as well as praising those of their partners.

Graduate student Cathy Buerger said the event helped turn Valentine's Day, a holiday linked with romantic love, into a time to think loving thoughts about yourself, and to share your love in a positive way with others.

"We're getting away from body-centric images of love and sex," she said.

Her husband, graduate student Chris Buerger, helped hand out valentines in the MU corridor, startling some students but generally receiving smiles and thanks.

"The idea we're trying to promote is that different people have different shapes," he said.

Men may not be subject to as many body stereotypes as women, but there is some pressure for men to be muscular and athletic. He also said that men can be better allies to women when it comes to ideas of beauty.

"We can do a better job to help women feel positive about themselves, and to let them know we think they're beautiful," he said.