* Author’s Note: If you don’t like Valentine’s Day or are one of the 70% of singles who have reported feeling “depression” or “anxiety” because of Valentine’s Day, this post may not be for you. If you don’t really care about any of that, or if you are interested in somewhat funny or interesting things, do go ahead and read.I hate Valentine’s Day.
Maybe not hate, persay – I just really don’t like Valentine’s Day, probably because it’s overcommercialized and, as with Christmas, I prefer my holidays to just sneak up on me without having to see evidence of their impending arrival every day.
Even when I’m with someone, as I am this year, it’s still nothing to look forward to – just another silly holiday. But imagine my amusement when I stumbled on this page, a history of St. Valentine’s Day.
According to this history, St. Valentine (a Roman Catholic saint) was beaten and sentenced to death for marrying couples after Roman Emperor Claudius II declared all marriages and engagements broken. Another version of the legend says Valentine was jailed before being put to death and sent love letters to the daughter of his jailer, signing them “your Valentine.”
That explains a few things, at least to me. Still, Valentine’s Day is not my cup of tea – at least since I started high school
One thing I used to like about Valentine’s Day, though, was giving paper valentines to friends. I’m a pretty big fan of giving things to people, especially as gifts, and now that I’m older I have a greater appreciation for hand-written things like cards or paper valentines.
This year, I will be making some hand-made valentines for people I love and appreciate, a la St. Valentine’s handwritten letters. I haven’t tried something on this scale before – so it relates to Liz Irwin’s word of the year post, which really inspired me to follow in its wake.
What are you doing for Valentine’s Day this year? Do you see Valentine’s Day as a purely romantic day, or do you include your friends in the festival of love?
Feliza Casano 
It’s starting…..get those cards in the mail!
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I’m glad I could inspire! 🙂 And honestly, I’m not happy with the commercialization of Valentine’s Day – just like the commercialization of Christmas. I don’t need a special day to give (or receive) flowers and chocolates and written notes.
One year, I bought a box of Harry Potter valentines while I was buying some for my daughter for her school exchange, and I sent the HP valentines to friends. It was fun!
This year on Valentine’s Day, I will be at my church (Epworth UMC, across from Wildwood) participating in a healing and wholeness service – offering compassion, prayers and love for anyone who needs it. I can’t think of a better way to spend it. 🙂
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I like the original concept we learned in Catholic school: Valentine’s Day was a day to remind your friends you care about them. Now, I’m just sick of how red and pink everything is…
Last year, my roommate had TRON: Legacy valentines that she gave to everyone. Including me. It had a pencil, so I was happy.
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This year, I can’t see my guy on V’s day, because it falls on a Tuesday, so this weekend, we’re just hanging out and playing games, and we bought each other chocolate. We were going to go to the park, buuuut, it’s far too cold/windy outside…
In any case, I normally see V’s day as purely, or almost purely, romantic.
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Always a good excuse for a chocolate. Other than that, my plan to send real mail always fails, Robin
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