Image by Lisa Wiedmeier WANA Commons, Flickr
I have never been big on Valentine’s Day.
I am big on romance.
It seems like an oxymoron, I know, but romance to me is spontaneous, birthed from the heart and soul. Romance should never be a forced requirement.
But that’s what it’s become, right? If you are part of a couple, you are basically shamed into expressing love and planning romance on February 14th. If it doesn’t happen ~ well, it doesn’t really matter if either party showed love and romantic gestures throughout the rest of the year ~ they are in the doghouse ~ and it’s usually the man.
To me, pronouncing a day where planning and expressing romance is a requirement just doesn’t feel right.
…not that I’m going to turn away chocolate or anything. That would be crazy…
That holds true for most things too, doesn’t it? As soon as anything is made into a requirement, it becomes a task, less authentic, arduous, something on your to do list that you groan and roll your eyes at.
Although I have my problems with Valentine’s Day, I was surprised to find out that the celebration of the day is illegal in some parts of the world.
That’s right. Give chocolates to your love?
Jail time.
Share a romantic dinner?
In the slammer.
Bring flowers to the woman you love?
Off to the hooscow with you!
…and don’t even think about collecting pink and red paper and cutting out little hearts. Ya’ hear?? Don’t even think about it.
It reminds me of the Burgermeister in Santa Claus is Coming to Town ~ except replace the word ‘toys’ with ‘valentines’ and instead of snatching Kris Kringle, Cupid gets carted off in shackles.
Why in the world would this holiday be illegal?
Because in some parts of the world it is regarded as a Christian holiday due to the previous ties to St. Valentine (actually more than 1 St. Valentine). In fact, it was a Christian holiday, but ever since Chaucer wrote a poem linking Valentine’s Day to romance in honor of King Richard II’s engagement to Anne of Bohemia, the day has morphed away from a Christian celebration to the hearts, flowers and chocolates we see today.
For this was on seynt Volantynys day
Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.‘For this was on Saint Valentine’s Day, when every bird cometh there to choose his mate.’
~Chaucer (1382)
Funny thing is, Chaucer was not even referring to February 14, but the name of St. Valentine linked it to the day ~ he linked it to romance ~ and a new holiday was born.
Makes me wonder what holidays there will be hundreds of years from now that have nothing to do with the originally intended day.
Now, you may wonder why I am writing a Valentine post today instead of tomorrow.
Why, to be spontaneous, of course! Free digital chocolate for everyone!
How do you feel about Valentine’s Day? Do you celebrate it?
I totally agree with you about the “Hallmarking” of the holiday. (Can we even call it a “holiday”?) I started to question the validity of Valentine’s Day in my 20′s when (women) friends of mine became seriously depressed if they didn’t have a date on Valentine’s Day. As if “that” alone was a devaluing of their worth as a person!!!
True love and romance is spontaneous and should be given from the heart, of free will. NOT dictated by a calendar. That said, I enjoy “having fun” with the holiday, keeping it light and in perspective. One of my favorite movies to watch on Valentine’s Day is “The Corpse Bride”. It’s a very sweet, if somewhat quirky, Tim Burton twisty animated romantic comedy. Johnny Depp stars as the leading man (voice). What’s not to love?
If it has Johnny Depp in it, I’m there
I will have to check it out! Happy Valentine’s Day!
I’ve never placed a lot of importance on Valentine’s Day though I do celebrate it for my kids’ sakes. Plus, any holiday where there’s a good chance someone will gift me chocolates is o.k. by me. I do like that it’s a day that’s all about making sure our loved ones know they’re loved, though February 14th shouldn’t be the only day we do that. Obviously.
Right ~ I do for the kids too!
…and the chocolate
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Judging from this post and your comments, Valentine’s Day isn’t quite as big here in Australia — although I did see three guys get off the train, each carrying a bunch of flowers — which amused me.
Great post though — loved part 2 as well!
Funny!
Thanks, Ellen
Happy Valentine’s Day!