Every year the same story: in the beginning of February I go to the supermarkets and everywhere are hearts with ‘I love you’, ‘My sweetheart’ and stuff like that. I open my Internet in the morning and wherever I surf I find adds about ‘invite your love for dinner’, ‘buy her a bunch of flowers for less’ and so on. Yes, tomorrow is San Valentine. The day couples – more the females – are waiting for the other one to say ‘I love you’, that he brings her out for dinner, a beautiful bunch of flowers arriving in the office with a ticket saying ‘ to my ever lasting sweetheart’. And all that romantic stuff. Where is the man to bring me flowers for San Valentine?
Many people celebrate San Valentine but they even don’t know why we have this day and of course that San Valentine was a real person one alive. He lived in the 3rd century a. d. and was a bishop in today Terni, Italy. The myth – because nothing is certain – says that he was a healer and he married couples in the Christian way though it was forbidden by Emperor Claudius. People converted to the new believe. Because of the forbidden religion he was decapitated on 14th February 269.
The day of celebration was first established in 496 by Pope Gelasius I. But only in the 14th century the day was associated to a romantic feast of love. He is also the patron saint of youth, travelers and beekeepers.
In Italy they have a nice tradition: couple close a lock on a gate near to a water place and both of them throw the keys in the water. While throwing the key they have to wish something without telling anyone afterwards. Flowers are the most bought gift this day – by men.
Today I’ve been to the supermarket to get some fresh fruits and nice cheese. And I saw a lot of flowers everywhere. All flower bunches had a heart with ‘I love you’ or ‘to my sweetheart’. And I thought: oh gosh, another San Valentine day without flowers. Should I buy a bunch for myself? Cook a great dinner for me only? Stay in front of the mirror to tell myself that I am a lovely woman and that I will always be in love with me? I think that idea is not too bad……
Happy San Valentine!
