February is all about love as we have Valentines Day on the 14th, so I did a little bit digging of my own while I was on a travel mode, and guess what I got some good infos.
The Saintly Suspects:
There are actually several Saint Valentines linked to February 14th. One popular story tells of a priest named Valentine who secretly married couples against the emperor’s wishes, earning him martyrdom. Another Valentine might have sent a love letter to a jailer’s daughter before his execution. While the exact Valentine remains a mystery, his spirit of love lives on.
From Rituals to Romance:
Long before Hallmark cards, ancient Romans celebrated Lupercalia, a fertility festival in mid-February. It involved matchmaking rituals and wild celebrations. While not exactly romantic, it might explain the February connection.
Love Takes Flight:
The Church, aiming to “Christianize” pagan practices, might have placed St. Valentine’s feast day around Lupercalia. By the Middle Ages, love poems and traditions like choosing a sweetheart on this day emerged. Geoffrey Chaucer, the famous poet, even wrote about it!
The Evolution of Affection:
By the 1700s in England, and love is fluttering in the air. Not just because spring is tiptoeing closer (it’s still a while away, don’t worry!), but because Valentine’s Day is becoming a thing! People are secretly passing cute notes and shyly giving little gifts to their crushes, making hearts skip beats and faces blush like strawberries. Pretty adorable, right?
Then enter the Victorians, the kings and queens of all things fancy and grand. They took Valentine’s Day and turned it up to eleven! Imagine mass-produced cards overflowing with mushy poems and decorations so elaborate they’d make your grandma’s doilies faint (think lots of lace, hearts, and maybe even some cherubs, because why not?).
Fast forward to today, and Valentine’s Day is like a giant, heartwarming party happening all over the world! Imagine strolling through bustling streets in Japan, witnessing ladies showering guys with mountains of sweet chocolates! Or picture the vibrant energy of South Korea, where friends and couples celebrate love on separate days, showcasing its diverse forms. Pretty cool, right?
Valentine’s Day isn’t just about one kind of love, even though those fancy dinners and red roses can be fun. It’s about celebrating the love that warms our hearts in different ways – the laughter shared with friends, the cozy movie nights with family, or even the self-love you pour into a warm bath and a good book.
Remember that shy kid in school who helped you with your homework you might have helped them? Or the friend who always picks you up when you’re down? They deserve to know how much they mean to you, too! Valentine’s Day is a chance to tell them, to show them your appreciation, and to remind them that they hold a special place in your life.
Don’t miss out on the good people in your life on this day, this day isn’t only about lovers but friends too.
Happy loving!
This post was created for the Blogaberry Creative (Monthly) Challenge.