Summary

The article reflects on the evolution and commercialization of Valentine's Day, detailing its historical origins, modern celebrations, and the author's personal experiences with the holiday.

Abstract

Valentine's Day, traditionally celebrated on February 14th, has evolved significantly over time. Initially unfamiliar to the author, it has now become a widely recognized day of love, inspired by the story of St. Valentine. The festival has expanded beyond romantic love to include expressions of affection for family, friends, and even oneself. Despite the commercial hype and the general public's lack of knowledge about the holiday's origins, Valentine's Day has been embraced by people worldwide, who celebrate it in various creative ways, often unaware of its historical significance. The author shares how they have experienced Valentine's Day with a range of activities, emphasizing the joy of celebrating love in its many forms.

Opinions

The author initially had no knowledge of Valentine's Day, either as a child or as an adult, and only became aware of its significance about a decade ago.
Valentine's Day has become commercialized, with widespread advertisements and a focus on romantic love, yet the original story of St. Valentine is often overlooked.
The author believes that Valentine's Day should not be confined to romantic love; it can be a time to celebrate love in all its forms, including familial and platonic relationships.
There is a disconnect between the historical context of Valentine's Day and the modern celebrations, as many people are unaware of the holiday's origins and the story of St. Valentine.
The author has embraced the festivities

I Never Knew That Valentines Day Would Be So Big

Celebrating Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is celebrated every year on the 14th of February.

As a kid, I never knew or heard of this festival. As a grown-up also I did not hear about Valentine’s Day.

My son was born on 14th February and no one knew the validity of Valentine’s Day.

Suddenly, about a decade ago there was much fanfare about Valentine’s Day. It became a romantic day where a person was to profess his love to a lady or a lady to a man.

It was considered specifically to be full of romance and was inspired by St.Valentine’s day.

Saint Valentine was assassinated by Roman Emperor Claudius II. He was a priest who was secretly performing Christian marriages for Roman troops and also preaching Christianity. He was placed under house arrest as he refused to renounce his faith.

While serving the sentence, Saint Valentine fell in love with the jailer’s daughter. When the emperor heard about it he was livid with anger. He gave the orders for the execution of Valentine.

Valentine was executed on February 14.

On the day of execution, Valentine sent the jailer’s daughter a farewell note: ‘From your Valentine’.

The church made this festival a Christian celebration in honor of St.Valentine to remember him.

He associated the day with romantic love, imagining that this is the time when European birds choose their mates.

Since the 17th century, flowers are given to the person you love.

The color of the flower given on Valentine’s Day was considered to be of significance. A red rose symbolized love, and colors like deep pink, purple, or white are for happiness, royalty, and sympathy.

The first heart-shaped box of chocolates was introduced in 1861 by the son of Cadbury founder John Cadbury — Richard Cadbury who started packaging chocolates in fancy boxes.

In recent years, Valentine’s day has given life to extended forms of love. It is celebrated in many creative ways with lots of new ideas.

Five years ago a friend called up and said Happy Valentine’s Day to me and I laughed. I said this festival is based on romantic love and to remember Saint Valentine.

She said Be my Valentine to me and again I laughed.

How can a Valentine be one female proposing to another female?

That was the day. Every year Valentine’s Day gets bigger and bigger. There are commercials everywhere. Advertisements are soaking the world. It is getting more and more creative and decorative.

There are several new ideas. I also celebrate it with gusto knowing the original story but being caught in the wave and web of a series of functions organized in the city.

People have forgotten the real story.

Every organization celebrates Valentine’s Day without knowing what it originally was.

It is considered a festival of love for family, children, and friends and also a day for proposing and professing love.

This year I attended several club functions specifically with the theme Valentine's Day.

Things have changed. Now people invite you and say they are doing something different by spending time and celebrating with their moms or soul moms, their children, or their family.

Look at me dressed up with flowers and having fun. I am not following the protocol of romantic love but still enjoying myself.

Cards are being sent and messages of love are accepted by young and old. We are dancing and singing and have made a new improvised festival of love extended to people. It has become a people’s festival.

I not only spent my Valentine's day starting on the 1st of February with the first celebration. I have attended nth times Valentine’s Day till today in different ways except with romantic love.

I spent time on the invitation of my soul Influencer daughter and her little daughter at a restaurant to celebrate the forthcoming Valentine’s Day. I did go and I enjoyed it.

The staff wished us Happy Valentine's Day and there was a special menu for the day too which was being celebrated every day till the 14th of February. (I am sure they did not know the significance of Valentine’s Day either.

I invited my senior-aged friends in their 80’s and we celebrated Valentine’s Day.

Today my soul daughter Tanvi joined me to spend time in nature with flowers in the community garden that I tend with a friend and for coffee at a new restaurant close by.

As you can see, Valentine's Day has been shining every day in February and I have been living it up each day differently. Today is the culmination and the final day when all the celebrations end in praise of Valentine's Day without knowing who was Valentine.

Ask the world what are we celebrating. No one knows but we are celebrating Valentine’s Day.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all. Do enjoy your day. Please do not be confused. Know why are we celebrating it so enthusiastically? What is the meaning of the festival?

I will end on this note. It is up to you how you celebrate. We should give a new meaning to this festival.

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