Happy Day!

Today is Valentines Day.

But I seriously do not believe in today.

I’m sorry.

Maybe it comes from a long history of never having anyone on my day, or those I did have never gave me anything special. The only thing I ever got worth anything was from my parents. Who knows, I just know I do not believe that one day should be singled out of all the rest of the days for that special someone. If they are special, EVERY day should be about them. Surprise them when they least expect it. Give a card, a single rose, do the dishes, or vacuum the carpet. Whatever, just do it any other time that today. One day is not enough to show just how much you love someone. You should show and tell them EVERY DAY!

The card makers, chocolatiers, jewelers, restaurants, and florists all make out like bandits the weeks leading up to Valentines Day. It is nothing more than a guilt trip: saying that “you don’t love your woman if you don’t get her roses and diamonds”.

It disgusts me, actually. Just as much as the commercialization of Christmas and Easter.

Why? Why do we have Valentines Day? What purpose does it serve but to lay guilt or torture those without?

I love learning. Education leads to enlightenment which leads to empowerment. It seems that the history of this day is shrouded in mystery. Even the Catholic Church cannot agree on the actual person that is St. Valentine.

Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred.

And some believe that this holiday was nothing more than the Catholic Church assimilating pagan rituals in order to win converts.

Lupercalia, which began at the ides of February, February 15, was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.

Check out History.Com for more information.

J&P's 'Summer Nights' Hybrid Tea

Whatever the reasons are for this day, it has mutated into guilt and torture and I really do not like it. I celebrate my love for my husband every day we are married. It has been a little over 22 years now and every day with him is Valentine’s day!   Although my favorite flower is the Rose, he knows he has no need to get me flowers. He knows I hate the dying ones (cut flowers are just dying flowers). If he ever does get me flowers, he gets me roses I can plant in the ground — LIVE roses. And he doesn’t buy them on the 500% markup days before Valentines Day. It’s the little things he does throughout the year that I cherish. Not the obligatory roses, card, and chocolate of Valentines Day.

This is what I believe and thought I would share some information with you and a little insight into my heart.

For me, I will be going home to my husband and son and enjoying their company. I know they love me. I don’t expect anything. And I don’t plan on going out for dinner, waiting 3 hours in line just to be seated at a table, then however long it takes for them to cook my food. Really, it doesn’t sound like a wonderful “date.”

If you believe in today, then by all means, I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.