Love is in the air.

Hello, lovelies. Love is in the air. Red roses are flying off the shelves. And every soppy card filled with love filled poems are being handed over to our loved ones. Its that time of year that we show how much we love someone by how much money we spend on them. But should we really be celebrating that one day of love? What about the rest of the year? Is love for life or just for valentine’s day? We all know that the 14th February means its Valentine’s day. A day where it is customary to exchange gifts, chocolates and flowers with our loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious Saint, and why is he synonymous with chocolates and flowers? The history of Valentine’s Day, and the story of its patron saint is shrouded in mystery. Well, he is many different historical figures, one of which reportedly healed a child whilst he was imprisoned before being executed by having his head cut off. Not much of a reason to send someone a dozen red roses. St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains traces of both Christian and ancient Roman traditions. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with love and flowers? There are at least three different saints that are named Valentine, or Valentinus and they were all martyred. One legend is that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. He was beheaded by Claudius II just outside of Rome. One story says that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. And one legend says that Valentine sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl, and just before his death he wrote her a letter signed, ‘From your Valentine.’ Which we still say today. And thankfully its not said just before our untimely death. But the truth behind the Valentine legends are murky at best. But the legends emphasize Valentines appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and most importantly romantic figure. But how did we get from there to here? And how does the cherubic Cupid come into it? Can he really shoot an arrow and make someone fall in love with us? We see a cute little cherub firing arrows of love at unsuspecting lovers on many of our Valentine cards. But the Roman God Cupid has his roots in Greek mythology as the Greek god of love, Eros. So, we have a patron saint of love, and a Greek god of love, but how does that lead us to where we are now? Valentine’s day has grown and morphed over the years, just like many of our traditions. And somewhere along the way big business and money-making merchandise took over, so now its customary to spend money on our loved ones, instead of showing our love in other, less expense ways. But how can I, as a single woman, enjoy what Valentines day has to offer. But it doesn’t have to be celebrated with a significant other. As we can celebrate Galentines day. What on earth is that, I hear you say. Well, its celebrated on the 13th February, and it marks platonic friendships, usually among women. Many of my friends choose not to celebrate Valentines day. But I think that we should all enjoy the one day a year that is solely aimed at love. And it doesn’t have to be love for another person. It can be a day that we take a little bit of time to love ourselves. So often, we are at the bottom of the list for love. We spend our lives loving others, but don’t seem to have the time to love ourselves. So today, I gave my children cards and gifts. My two dogs also received a little gift, but I also made some time for myself. I have enjoyed the day. Had a long hot bath and have finally opened that book that I’ve been meaning to read for ages. Love isn’t just about loving others, its really about loving ourselves. But the thing we need to do it not just love ourselves for one day. We need to love ourselves as much as we love those around us.