Every year, this holiday seems to begin earlier and earlier. By the end of January, retailers begin decorating their stores in hot pink and red hearts. Cupid and his infamous arrow can be seen flying overhead. Stores suddenly carry oversized Teddy Bears. Elementary parties with princess and superhero Valentines and too much sugar. Women love the holiday while men stress and dread it. If we take away the heart shaped chocolates, roses, and giant Teddy Bears, what does this holiday truly stand for? Why do so many people complain about a romantic holiday?
Let’s first remember that it is SAINT Valentine’s Day, not just ‘Valentine’s Day.’ Saint Valentine’s Day dates back to around 270 A.D. The holiday began as the Pagan holiday of Lupercalia, of festival dedicated to the Roman god Faunus (god of agriculture). During the festival, an order of Roman priests would sacrifice a goat and dog for fertility and purification. History.com states that the order would put the sacrificial blood on young women, with the belief of making them more fertile. the next year the women would place their names in a jar and would be matched with an eager bachelor. Sound an awful like the show, huh?
The Catholic Church later moved the holiday to February “as an effort to Christianize it.” The true identity of the original St. Valentine is murky, there were several patron saints with the same name. History.com states that the “oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London…”
Over the centuries, Valentine’s Day became the day to remind your loved one just how much you love him or her. I hear so many people complain and whine about the holiday being overrated, or that we should not shower people with love just one day of the year.
Valentine’s Day does not require love to be shown once a year. Love is to be sacred throughout the year. The holiday gives couples the chance to not only spoil each other, but a day to sit and bathe in each other’s love. Yes, I know that sounds extremely cheesy, but it is the truth.
St. Valentine’s Day is a day of love. It’s a day for us all to step back and realize how much we are loved by family, friends, and spouse. This St. Valentine’s Day, try to spread love to others and yourself.
