Happy Valentine's Day, Lauralee! Since today is actually February 14th, it’s the perfect time to dive into why we celebrate this day of candy hearts and roses.
While it’s often seen as a "Hallmark holiday" now, its roots are a bit more complex—mixing ancient Roman ritual, Christian history, and a dash of medieval poetry.
1. The Origins: Who was St. Valentine?
The holiday is named after Saint Valentine, but the Catholic Church actually recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. The most popular legends include:
* The Secret Wedding Officiant: During the third century in Rome, Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, so he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice, continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.
* The First "Valentine" Note: Another legend suggests Valentine was imprisoned for helping Christians escape Roman prisons. While jailed, he allegedly fell in love with his jailer's daughter and sent her a letter signed "From your Valentine"—an expression we still use today.
2. Why February 14th?
There are two main theories on why the date was chosen:
* Lupercalia: Some believe the Church placed the feast day in mid-February to "Christianize" the pagan festival of Lupercalia, a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture.
* The Mating Season of Birds: During the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14th was the beginning of birds' mating season, which added to the idea that the day should be a day for romance.
3. Symbols and Traditions
* Cupid: In Roman mythology, Cupid is the son of Venus, goddess of love. He is often depicted with a bow and arrow because anyone hit by his arrows falls deeply in love.
* The Victorian Era: This is when the holiday really took off commercially. People began exchanging hand-printed cards and elaborate lace-trimmed "valentines."
* Modern Day: It’s now a global phenomenon where people exchange flowers (especially red roses), chocolates, and jewelry.
Valentine's Day Today
While the focus is usually on romantic partners, it’s shifted recently to include "Galentine’s Day" (celebrating friendships) and family love. Since you're balancing life as a busy student and mom to Seth, Evan, and Ava, it’s a great excuse to just take a breath and enjoy a little extra kindness.
Would you like some ideas for healthy, low-sugar Valentine's treats or perhaps a few fun, low-cost activities to do with the kids today?
