Today is Valentine’s Day. Who is Valentine? Nobody is really sure! It was a common name (from the Latin for “worthy”) and there are several priest/bishop candidates. We know with some certainty that at least three Valentines were martyred, so any of them could be THE one.
The first recorded linking of St. Valentine’s feast day with romance comes from one of Chaucer’s writings. Prior to that, how Valentine and romance got tied together is anybody’s guess. But within 20 or so years of Chaucer’s work, the first Valentine poem was written (c1400). And the current passion for cards and more was revived in this country in the mid 19th century.
St. Valentine’s feast was removed from the Roman Catholic calendar in 1969 because nobody could be sure who was being commemorated. And today, most people give little or no thought to St. Valentine on this day. Instead it is a big card, candy, flowers, and jewelry day when, even if we’re not too romantic any other time, we make time on this day.
All this matters, why? I’m not sure it does. When I gave my wife the first of two cards today ( a humorous one in the morning; a more “serious” one at dinner) I added a note. The essence of the note was a promise to pay more attention every day and to enjoy her and enjoy our relationship every day rather than just this one day.
St. Valentine could care less. My wife liked it a lot, though. Maybe your significant other would like that sentiment too.
Peace, Jerry+
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1 comment:
thank you for the history lesson and insight. and kudos to you for your note to your wife! I think many women and men would appreciate a simple handwritten note occasionally just reinforcing feelings. I think it's also good to remember the single and divorced people who might find today gets them down a bit. I believe there are special angels singing the praises of these people. I hope so!
here's a question: what really is love? do we truly attract what we deserve? Or are we sometimes just not very good at getting past infatuation? what role does God play in all this?
thanks much for your blog....really enjoy it!
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