Why should we celebrate Valentine's Day?

[Anonymous]

I can’t find one good story about how Valentines Day began.. Each of the various stories I’ve looked into state that Valentinus was clubbed and stoned to death on February 14th 269 AD (but this appears to be a rough estimate 270 & 273 have also been mentioned) after he tried to convert Claudius II to Christianity. Previous to this, it is claimed that he restored the sight of the daughter of a local Judge, who then freed some 40 religious prisoners in return. It seems Valentinus was imprisoned various times for preaching to the (un)converted, but became somewhat of a celebrity to the Emperor who would later demand his breathing privileges cease!

There are also words written (supposedly) from the condemned to Asterius’ daughter ‘from your Valentine’ which apparently is where the saying we know today comes from.

And yet my brief from Marjo is to keep it positive. Why? Because Valentines Day is supposed to be about happiness? I don’t see much positivity when I’ve researched into how and why Valentines Day came about.

So, indulge me....

When was the last time you heard anyone celebrating being single? Apart from the day the Decree Absolute came through.. I know i cheered!  or when I see a couple fighting.. When I see this, out comes my favourite saying ‘I’m glad I’m single’ but is that right? Cheering on the end of an era or watching someone else’s misery?

There seems to be a day for everything these days but I can’t ever recall seeing / hearing anything with any cheer for single people. And is being single anything to cheer about? In this day and age it’s all about couples. Single person supplements for example. Why is it still more expensive to be single?

And tell me.. If your significant other is so wonderful, why do we need a single day to show them how we feel about them? Shouldn’t you be showing it everyday.. & do we really need to do it with material things? Isn’t ‘I love you’ & puckering up enough?

Cards & presents are given / received on many days of the year & each time a considerable amount of the worlds resources & your hard earned cash are wasted on gifts that aren’t really needed. It’s the ‘done thing’ isn’t it? People feel obliged to do it because it’s ‘expected’

Expected? Really? What about love? (Great Heart song)

And we do all this because of some story from the past, of which we’ll never really know if it’s true or not? And yet so much importance is placed on it by so many.

So go then, tell me.. Where am I going wrong? I’ve listed my negatives, Show me the error of my ways, point out from the list above or other examples why Valentines Day is a day that should be celebrated. What have i missed?

[Cleoriff]

Brilliant piece of work @Anonymous so I'm sorry I can't indulge you.

We shouldn't need a DAY when we show someone we love them...it should be evident all year round.

Maybe when you are a teenager and silly, it makes you feel good to get more cards than your friends...but hey...who cares?

With age comes wisdom, I say...and though it's nice to get flowers from my husband...I prefer them all year round (or on a rare occasion). Not Valentines day when they are twice the price.

If you go for a meal the prices are inflated. etc etc etc.

So show you love someone constantly in little ways which mean a lot....not just on Valentines day.

[Anonymous]

That’s one of the points I was hoping would come about @Cleoriff .. try and book a table on the 14th and you’re paying a premium. Surely your hard earned cash could be better used elsewhere

[MI5]

I'm with @Cleoriff. Purely commercialism surely?

[TallTrees]

♥️ happiness is for every day.
Enjoyed your post @Anonymous
Well done🌞

[Mi-Amigo]

Good historical account of Valentine`s Day @Anonymous .

I agree with the comments about those who are single [not in a relationship] who are penalized with premiums and/or suppliments; and share the opinion that caring shouldn`t be one-day, once-a-year...

Good, interesting thread.  

[Anonymous]

Throughout history it seems to be about everything but love... & yeah commercialism sums it up @MI5 

Damnit @TallTrees I thought you were going to restore my faith with a pearl of wisdom!

I'm not sure how good an account it is @Mi-Amigo There are plenty of people from the church that were named Valentine or some such derivative but the version i presented seemed the most repeated / written.

I'm unimpressed sat here.. Wondering what I would have got / sent if I had been in a relationship.

Definitely a text .. they're free, well I'm paying for them year round so its not costing me any extra. I'd have probably gone to the bargain shelf & grabbed a pizza, they got some in ASDA with heart shaped Cheese slices on top. But I can definitely say whatever I bought wouldn't have cost the earth (material or monetary)

What would I have wanted? Nothing.. absolutely nothing.. 

I'm looking forward to hearing what people get.. Will it be a throwaway item (chocolates/flowers) or will it be something that lasts a lifetime.. like the love it's supposed to represent (i can't believe i just typed that!!!) (kill me kill me now)

[liggerz87]

I just see it as a money spinner and I been single like 8 years now

[Cleoriff]

I have been given some daffodils.

Don't laugh, I went for a hospital appointment this morning and the department had buckets with bunches of daffodils.... encouraging patients to take a bunch. I did and there you go. Some things are free after all

[Anonymous]

You’re right @liggerz87 .. dosh dosh dosh, loadsa money (check out that 90s reference!!)

Daffodils are spot on @Cleoriff grown anyway.. going to waste if not used.. and with St David’s Day fast approaching.. they have multiple use (if they last that long!!)