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]

I got nothing which suits me fine.

I did get a look at the new Mercedes W11 2020, with Lewis driving round Silverstone. I'll take that over anything else.

I'm easily pleased and a cheap date.

[jonsie]

I got a Happy Valentine message from my wife. That was as good as it got until I ended up in my local pub. Cat comes tomorrow sometime....

[Cleoriff]

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@jonsie wrote:

I got a Happy Valentine message from my wife. That was as good as it got until I ended up in my local pub. Cat comes tomorrow sometime....

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That's brilliant news about the cat @jonsie.

[pgn]

It's a bit of fun, @Anonymous - what's not to enjoy about a cryptic card, note, message or other sign of affection to your partner/SO/spouse, where one exists, on this one day in the year (at least)?

I had to do a double-take in a local purveyor of cards and schtuff: "To my darling Son, on Valentine's Day", and further along the display, "Happy, Valentine's Day, dear Son".

Err...? 

[jonsie]

None for "Happy Valentine's Day, dear darling Son"?

[pgn]

From a doting Mum to her Son on Valentine's Day. 💘💋🤐

[Cleoriff]

My son made me a Valentine card when he was 5. Bless him. You know at that age they are encouraged at school to make Easter cards....well he thought a Valentine card was a great idea. I've still got it somewhere

[pgn]

Easter eggs without the word "Easter" seem to be all the rage atm...

[jonsie]

Yes a bit like St George's Day without the flags 

[Anonymous]

A cryptic card from your spouse @pgn ? Not very cryptic if you know where it’s from! And fun at the cost of the planet... really doesn’t seem worth it! But each to their own I guess.

And yes these weird relationship cards are just that.. weird!

And I didn't need to perv over a gazillion pound car so I must be even cheaper than you @Cleoriff .. a title I'm quite happy to claim!