And so, the countdown begins. February 14th emerges and you’re either #teamlove, lost amongst the loved up couples, staring longingly into their partners’ eyes, sharing dessert after a fancy dinner. Or you're #teamfml, who drinks an entire bottle of rosé alone watching Netflix. Bridget Jones vibes anyone? This year I am the latter, and coming from a point a view of a previous #teamlove, I ask is there even a point to this masochistic holiday?
Every so often you will come across an individual, I used to believe to be highly cynical, and despite my lack of Valentine, still do. There were those who would say "Valentine’s Day is a creation of consumerism! You're forced to buy gifts and cards and chocolate, and if you don't, you don't love your partner! It’s another excuse women created for men to buy them things!" Etc, etc. To this I say, "well alright scrooge, who broke your heart?" My mother likes to say it’s important to celebrate the small things because you never know what could happen. This is a philosophy I've adopted into my own life as an adult. So, what exactly is the harm of another holiday to celebrate, especially one dedicated to love?
Valentine’s Day, as I’m sure many are aware, emerged from the one and only St Valentine. Though February 14th is known as his feast day in Catholicism, it was actually he day he was executed... heavy stuff. During this period The Roman Emperor thought Roman Catholics weren't joining the army because they loved their wives and children too much, so the OBVIOUS solution to this was to ban all future marriages. I think this dude really needed to get his priorities in check, but anyway. Valentine was horrified, and like the bad ass mother fucker he was continued to perform marriages. He was eventually imprisoned for this, and would go on to write letters to his own jailer’s daughter signing them 'From your Valentine'
So, when did Valentine’s day turn from something bad ass and beautiful into a single consumerist’s nightmare? Once celebrated as a Catholic Feast Day, with participants sharing homemade cards, letters and puzzles has now been over-taken with lavish gifts and high expectations. The card and chocolate industry booms mid-February and don't get me started about florists (I’m sick of seeing those heart holding teddies).
I think the problem with Valentine’s Day is that we've lost the point. Valentine stood for one thing and that was love. Over time it transformed into this grand expectation of partners and of relationships in general. However, if the retelling of history is accurate, Valentine never in fact wrote to any lovers, but his friend the jailer’s daughter or perhaps even other Catholics. So why do we place so much focus on romantic relationships? Obviously this is a very important presence of love, but let’s not forget the others in our lives: Our parents, friends, dogs (I don't judge). And if you're single, try your best not to get sucked into the feeling of failure and loneliness, because I guarantee someone loves you even if they're not IN love with you.
So, grab a mate, tell them you love them and sign them a card from their Valentine
xx
Read more about the history of our homie Valentine here :