Friday 14th February, 2014.
What better day to begin my blogging life than the day of love. But what makes Valentine’s Day so special to us?
The history of Valentine’s Day is interesting; on the surface, most people understand that there was this guy… Saint Valentine. Right okay, common knowledge. But according to some (e.g. Henry Ansgar Kelly) Valentine was imprisoned because he was marrying soldiers that were banned from marriage. Before he was executed he apparently sent the first Valentine’s card addressed to the jailers’ daughter, signing it “your Valentine” (Do you see where the phrase came from?). Of course this is only one apparent version of events, according to historians there were multiple Saint Valentine’s, so who knows when it truly started.
But anyway, down to business. Valentine’s Day has become (as with other holidays) less about the people we love, and more about gift giving. Don’t get me wrong, I love valentine’s Day as much as the next person. But, the amount of people you get complaining about being single on Valentine’s Day, and claiming to hate it! I bet you any amount of money that they would love the day if they were in a relationship. Who is to say that the origin of this day wasn’t just to celebrate all love in general? Why can’t we celebrate other people’s love too? Why have people turned it into a selfish day?
My partner and I (being students) have very little money, so we haven’t bought presents, or a card for one another. We are spending the day together and having a meal (home cooked I might add). This way, we save money, and we celebrate love. Yes our own love, bit selfish. But I have seen love everywhere today. True and beautiful. A guy preening a bouquet of flowers and a single red rose whilst waiting for his Valentine to answer the door, and so many couples looking entirely loved up! I think love is amazing. And just having a little appreciation for it, well it can go a long way. Whether you are single or not, you should try it sometime.
Keep on Loving!
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