It's almost that special day again. You know the one that started to promote itself the day after Christmas. Sure we've had Martin Luther King Jr. day since then but, on that day you are not required to decorate or buy presents.
Don't get me wrong, I am not necessarily a Valentine's Day hater. I have so many fond memories of the carefully selected "little" cards that I exchanged with my classmates in elementary school, my first flowers or a box of candy from a special person. As I grew up and married and had children, Valentine's day always consisted of a card, candy, flowers and then it grew to be more.
Today is seems as, if we are lucky, have just paid off the Christmas expense and we are expected to adorn our homes and come up with romantic things which involve spending a lot of money. It is time again to show everyone again how much you love them.
From the TV commercials to the endless ads promoting jewelry and other gifts to show your undying love......you are expected to perform on Valentine's Day. Talk shows and even the news are chocked full of tips to on how not to screw up this special day.
Valentines Day is named after one or more Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 500 AD. It was deleted from the Roman calendar of saints of 1969 by Pope Paul VI, but its religious observance is still permitted. It was specifically started as an observance to shower an intimate other with flowers, confections and eventually cards of expressions of love. I wonder what those early Romans would think of the many other ways we've learned to honor this day.
I deeply love and, I guess not romantic. I can certainly appreciate why this day is such a joy for most. I just can't understand the commercialization and expectations of Valentine's Day when you should spend each day showing those you love how much you love them. V-Day just seems like a make-up day.
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