Valentine’s Day, its origin and traditions:

Valentine’s Day, its origin and traditions:

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Will you be my Valentine?

If yes, let me take you on a journey through Valentine’s day, its origin, and the traditions.

We are all familiar with February 14th, right? A day with lots of flowers, gifts, chocolates, and more importantly, a day filled with Romance, a day to spend with THE ONE, February 14th is the day we like to refer to as Valentine’s Day. But who is Valentine? There are some different stories about Saint Valentine. Let’s take look at these legends:

1. It was during the 3rd century when Emperor Claudius II found out that single men could fight better in the battles, so he banned marriage. Valentine, who was a priest in Rome, was against this decision so he continued to perform marriages in secret. When the Emperor discovered his actions, he killed Saint Valentine.
2. In another legend, this day was named after a bishop called Saint Valentine of Terni. He was too beheaded for his actions by Claudius II outside Rome.
3. In this story, Valentine was a prisoner who helped other Christians escape prisons. The legend tells us about Valentine and his lover, who was the daughter of one of the prisoners. Once Valentine sent her a letter and signed it:

 “From your Valentine”

He was later beheaded for his actions.

While some believe that February 14th is the anniversary of Saint Valentine’s death, others think that the church chose this day to replace a pagan celebration called the “Lupercalia”.

During the middle ages, people used to believe that February 14th was the bird’s mating season, therefore this day became a romantic day. The first person who dedicated this day to romance was an English poet, called Geoffrey Chaucer.

Here is a part of his poem about Valentine’s day:

“For this was sent on Seynt Valentyne’s day / Whan every foul cometh ther to choose his mate.”

 

What to do on Valentine’s Day?

• Invite:

The day is for you and the one you love so first things first, ask your sweetheart out.

 

• Gift:

Exchanging gifts is one of the traditions, so buy her/him a gift. You can also be creative and make her/him a meaningful gift.

What is a great gift? For some people, a photo of both of you would be the best gift ever. Stuffed animals could be another choice.

 

• Chocolate:

Chocolate and heart-shaped cookies are inseparable parts of Valentine’s Day. Give your sweetheart some chocolate.

 

• Flowers:

Flowers are another way to show your love and make your significant other happy.

 

• Cards:

Another thing you can do is to buy a card. Try to write your feelings on the card, give it to her/him. She/he would love it.

 

• Plan a memorable evening:

It’s your day. Plan it the way you two most enjoy. Do you like picnics? Do you like fancy restaurants? Do you enjoy watching a romantic movie at home? Do you want to watch the sunset?  As long as you are with each other, everything would be nice.

 

But you have to know the only thing that matters is you and your beloved,

so do what you both enjoy, what you both love.