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Last year, I was a bit sceptical about the brouhaha surrounding a day devoted to love – 14th February, best known worldwide as Valentine’s Day. For me, just one day in a calendar to shower love on our partners did not seem right.
This year, though, I have had a change of heart (no pun intended). I see it as a reminder to show our love to the people we care about that often gets neglected in the hustle and bustle of routine and an opportunity to express love in myriad emotional and material ways with lavish gifts, cards, fancy dinners, holiday treats, etc.
Thus began the commercialisation of this day somewhere in the 19th century. The advent of the printing press led to the mass production of cards and lo behold! Hallmark cards were everywhere. Oozing with romantic poetry and 3D images on glossy paper, they made our hearts flutter. I still have them stashed away from decades ago that look as good as new.
Retailers then cashed in with flowers, chocolates and jewellery in exquisite packaging as gifts of love. The hospitality industry, not to be left behind, began offering meals with themed menus, candlelit dinners, complimentary roses, live music serenading guests, etc. Creativity knows no bounds when it comes to matters of the heart.
However, little is known about the day itself. The origin dates back to ancient Rome (circa 3rd century) with the story of Saint Valentine, a Christian priest. According to legend, St Valentine lived during the reign of Emperor Claudius II, an army officer, before coming to power. Claudius was involved in many bloody battles and needed a large, strong army but faced resistance in enlisting men. He believed that young men were unwilling to join the army because of their strong attachment to their wives and families. To overcome this problem, all marriages and engagements were banned in Rome. Valentine, however, defied this decree and continued to perform marriages for young couples, in secret. When his actions were discovered, he was imprisoned and later executed on February 14.
While in prison, Valentine is said to have fallen in love with the jailer’s blind daughter. Just before his execution, it was alleged that he wrote a letter to his lady love and signed it off, “From your Valentine”, a signature phrase since used by lovers across the world to show love and, yes sometimes, to remain anonymous.
But it was around 498AD, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 as St Valentine’s Day to honour the martyr Valentinus whose story became a symbol of love, sacrifice and devotion and has since been venerated as a patron saint of lovers.
In Finland and Estonia, Valentine’s Day is known as “Friend’s Day”, a day to rejoice not just romantic love but also friendships, exchanging cards and gifts to stress the importance of all types of relationships. That’s what my friends and I did a few days ago with a pre-Valentine Day meet to celebrate love.
So, if you are single, falling in love or out of love, fret not. Gather up your family and / or friends and celebrate those bonds of togetherness. As Mark Twain said, “If you want love and abundance in your life, give it away”.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Gifts of love - Gulf Weekly
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