Roses are red, Violets are blue… However, the origin of Valentine’s Day may have been anything but sugar and spice. There are many theories of how this celebration began but some are gruesome and violent. Anything from sacrificial animal killing and then whipping women with their hides in the name of “fertility” to the killing of two men, both named Valentine on the same day, February 14, several years apart. Aren’t we happy those pagan rituals are no longer celebrated?
Some more pleasant speculations:
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. I still remember how exciting it was in grade school to decorate our Valentine’s folders and collect cards from our classmates. Unfortunately, those sweet, innocent cards seem to have gone by the wayside.
Valentine’s Day is a boom for hospitality and retail businesses at just the right time. January is a doldrum month for those businesses and when February 14 rolls around it’s such a relief.
Florists, chocolatiers, and restauranteurs will work overtime for the next few days. Maybe a special treat is coming your way.
I know that it can be a difficult day for many who may feel uncoupled due to some loss. Hopefully, for all of us, there are people in our lives who we love and in return are loved back. Love isn’t just a romantic relationship. Let’s celebrate and remember all the people in our lives who bring us joy.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you. I appreciate the time you take to read and comment on the blog. You are all special to me. xox Judy❤️
From “The Paris Market” website:
The world would be a whole lot better if people could just express more love and appreciation for each other. So Happy Galentine’s Day and Valentine’s Day to you Judy, and thank you for your Blog – “You are Amazing!”
Happy Galentine’s Day to you too Karen! Ditto on your thoughts about love and appreciation for each other. What a wonderful world it would be. Thank you Karen for all of your input and encouragement for the blog…you are amazing. xox Judy❤️
Happy Galentine’s Day and Happy Valentine’s Day Judy🥰! Thank YOU for all the time, effort and love that YOU put into your blog Judy….you not only inspire me to step out of my comfort zone and create my own little oasis in my home and garden but you lift my spirits every time I read your beautiful blog🥰. Anybody who reads your blog, has received a beautifully wrapped bag of purchases from your boutique (miss that so much 😢), or who knows you, can tell how much passion and care you put into everything you do. Part of what makes YOU so special is how special you make us all feel 💞. Thank you for being you🥰! Hugs, Karen xo❤️
Wow…Thank you Karen. If Hallmark is looking for the “perfect” wishes writer for their card line, I have the right person for the job. Happy Galentine’s Day to you too Karen and again a big thanks for what you contribute to this platform. It’s what keeps me going…xox Judy❤️
You’re too kind Judy 🥰🥰! Hugs, Karen xo
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Judy,
Thank you for sharing your insights about Valentine’s Day. I always learn something from your posts and enjoy your thought’s. I always felt it was a day to celebrate all those you loved in your life. You reminded me of where my belief came from – in school, sharing & collecting Valentines with everyone.
I wish and hope the day is celebrated with all those you love & cherish in our lives. I have a couple of traditions for Valentine’s Day.
About 15 years ago I had a couple girlfriends feeling a little low about the day. Since then I have spent my evenings delivering Valentine’s Cards, a heart token (something I have found over the year – ceramic, stone, metal, glass, a charm etc.) and a treat (chocolate, cookie, cupcake – lately chocolate covered strawberries from Chi Cafeteria *the best Mexican chocolatier in Edmonton) to all the single ladies in my life. If they don’t live close to me they receive their in the mail. When I get home from my travels around the city, dinner is waiting for me (my husband is a fabulous cook) & we spend the rest of the evening together.
I also send either homemade Valentine’s (If I had time to create them) or the store bought ones we collected as kids to my immediate family members and their children (now grandchildren too). They receive them in the mail as we all don’t live in the same city.
Thought I would share my traditions with you and your readers, I am curious to know if anyone else has a different tradition?
Karla
Happy Belated Valentine’s Day Karla. Thank you for your inspiring and thought provoking comment about spreading kindness to your “people”. In the complicated world we live in it’s so easy to become obsessed about how everything affects us as individuals…that “what about me” mentality. I’m all about loving ourselves first in order to help others, but I think that’s been taken to the extreme in many ways. What you do for your community will have a ripple effect enhancing the life’s of others that you may never know about. Thank you for the reminder of how small acts of kindness mean so much…if we all did this, what a peaceful, wonderful world we’d live in. xox Judy❤️