Did you know that the origin of Valentine’s Day actually dates back to Pagan time? Apparently, February 13th, 14th, and 15th were reserved for a fertility festival known as Lupercalia–lending to the modern day celebration on February 14th and celebration of love {kind of}.
{Cranberry Shortbread Hearts Recipe}
St. Valentine’s Day as we know it, though, is a bit trickier. According to history, two martyred men with the name of Valentine could be the holiday’s namesake. The first, Valentine of Terni, was martyed in roughly 197 AD. Little is known about his life, other than he was, in fact, a martyr. The second, Valentine of Rome, came around 289 AD. He is rumored to have been a priest under the rule of an Emperor named Claudius. The emperor felt that single men made better soldiers and forbid his men to marry. Ol’ Valentine disagreed and began marrying the men in secrecy. When he was caught, he was imprisoned. From here the story gets a little silly–he either healed the jailer’s blind daughter or fell in love with her, either way, he died in prison, a martyr for the cause of love.
In 496 AD, the Pope declared February 14th to be St. Valentine’s Day–a Christian feast day. Exactly when the holiday morphed into the more common celebration of love is unknown, though. In 1400 AD, Paris opened the High Court of Love on February 14th to deal with matters of the heart {i.e. marriage, divorce, infidelity, and abuse}–so the concept must’ve been common place . There are even references to Valentine’s Day in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
The actual lace-cards, candy hearts and chocolates appears not to have surfaced until around the mid 1800’s. But, by 2009, Valentine’s Day had become a full-blown commercialized frenzy, generating more than 14.7 billion dollars in retail sales. I think it’s safe to say, the holiday has officially caught on.
{Chocolate Heart Peanut Butter Cookies}
In my lifetime, I’ve always thought Valentines Day was invented by the Hallmark company. Who knew it dated so far back?
As for me, forget the the flowers and chocolate. I’m hoping for a truck load of dirt this Valentine’s Day. How about YOU, how do you celebrate the day of love?
With Love,
Mavis
Leanna says
About 6 years ago my hubby said he would love to watch Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and eat candy during it. I suggested we do that for Valentine’s Day since the kids were 3 and 7. We have been doing i t ever since. It is a fun tradition and our boys look forward to it every year. We are celebrating on Friday since there is no school the next day in case they overindulge. Have a great one. Hope you get some dirt. 🙂
Jo B. says
I asked for lumber for a raised garden bed 🙂 Hoping to start my first veggie garden soon.
Desi says
I love getting potted flowers. That way I get indoor color right now and can plant it outside this summer.
randi says
So funny that you wish for dirt! Me too! I told HH this morning not to bother with roses from the grocery store- I’d rather have dirt. Can’t imagine what he’ll tell the guys at work today about that comment!
Carla says
Just had the conversation with my teens on the way to school today. As we drove past several roadside stands selling flowers and gift baskets, we talked about how silly it was for those last minute gifts that would be overpriced and gone in a few days. Over the years, I’ve had great Valentine gifts including a raised garden bed with dirt! This year I was hoping for some seeds and another place to plant as we’ve just moved into a different house. Hope you get your dirt and good luck on reaching 4, 000 lbs. this year.
Heather says
Our daughter, who is 3, is receiving the Candyland game with a few *real* gumdrops as the game pieces for tonight, plus a book (she loves reading!)! She has an exchange at preschool and I know she will be flush with candy and treats there too! We brought a noncandy gift because I am *that* momma! LOL! For my hubby…well we don’t really go overboard on the holiday, so it’s usually a heartfelt love note w/ a special little treat. This year I found these jumbo cinnamon bears (thank you Winco) which are his favorites from his childhood! He will be happy! Breakfast for dinner with either heart shaped pancakes/waffles and homemade strawberry syrup is on the menu for tonight which makes everyone feel special! We don’t stress over the holiday…hope you get a lot of dirt! That is just priceless!
Tracy J says
I about died from joy this year. We don’t usually “do” Valentines day anymore other than small gifts for the kids, but this year my hubs knew I had been eyeing a Nutrimill, so he ordered it for me! SQUEE!! I spent all day yesterday playing with it (a day early, I know, lol!!)!! What a great gift as we try to move away from processed food and towards self-sustainability!!
Mavis says
Awesome. 🙂
Lyndsey says
We usually skip this holiday, too. I fall into the “it’s a Hallmark holiday” area, too. I bought the kids their usual candy treats and I broke tradition, getting my husband chocolates and a mooshy card, Caught off guard, he sprang for the tree guys to cut the saplings in the back of our lot so I can build raised beds!!! I’m so excited I can hardly stand it.
So, chocolate and chainsaws! Happy Valentine’s Day, after all!
Mavis says
Chocolate and chainsaws it is! 🙂