Instead of going into the history of the 14th of February, which most of you already know it, what is important to show is why the holiday is important to millions upon millions of couple's, married or otherwise, around the globe. At the same time, it has been overheard lately that the holiday known as Valentine's Day may even be a disappearing act in many areas of the United States and anywhere else it might be celebrated.
The holiday known as Valentine's Day is one that has been celebrated over the centuries for and by married couples, boyfriends and girlfriends, families and otherwise to show the love that they have for one another. For a number of weeks before the day arrives, people are ordering bouquets of roses and other colorful flora to have delivered or to be presented to their loved one's on this special day. Chocolates and stuffed animals with X's and O's for kisses and hugs are placed strategically in department stores and in grocery stores and even sold on many street corners by vendors looking to make a bit of the dollar. Restaurants fill up with reservations for dinner. Movie theaters presenting stories of love are filled from wall to wall with couples catching a glance at big screen romances.
Jewelry stores are also busy at this time of the year because many men are looking to propose to the woman of their dreams. To the woman that they hope will say, “yes!” on Valentine's Day and even set a day for their wedding to take place on the holiday of the heart.
What does this all mean? Lately, around the Atlanta area, this means that local retail establishments like Kroger, Publix and Ingle's Grocery Stores, Walmart's and Targets, street corner vendors, flower shops and the local malls are looking at nothing more than the bottom line. This means that even Valentine's Day is seen as just another day for people who have suffered one way or another in this last if not continuing recession, go out and spend as much money as they can on their loved one's. It is another holiday for the retailers to show the world that they can make money on such a minor holiday.
What is nice about the holiday is that many can be heard saying, “I Love You Jesus!” Just check many of the postings on Facebook Walls. This is great. Why is this so important? As of late there has been a big argument regarding contraception and the church and what the present day Administration says all about it. The newspapers are lined with stories on how we are losing our religious freedoms in the United States. Has this not been happening for some time now? So, Valentine's Day has a different meaning of late and expressing love for God is a great way to celebrate the holiday of the heart.
Here are the top ten sayings on this Holiday of the Heart that have been heard over the last few days in all corners of the Atlanta area:
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“You see, Valentine's Day is a devil. I do not celebrate it and this year I woke up with a mean headache.”
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“My wife and I have been married for so many years, Valentine's Day is like birthdays. They are just another day and we let them slip on by like nothing ever happened.”
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Heard in a local grocery store: “Fifty dollars for roses! They have got to be kidding me. Another holiday, another price hike on something that will be dead in less than 24 hours.”
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“My wife cannot make up her mind what she wants this Valentine's Day. I am glad because she has more than I do.”
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“I think they should just do away with the holiday. More people end up in arguments or work late just to say, 'I forgot I had to work late.'”
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“Valentine's Day? I can't stand chocolate and the doctor told me to stay away from candy, period.”
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A sign at a local airport reads, “Happy Valentine's Day.”
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“Why buy flowers before or on Valentine's Day. Tomorrow they will be fifty-seventy five percent off.” (That is because they are already in the withering stages).
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“I think a good round of golf goes a long way on Valentine's Day. My wife is better than me anyway and she would love the chance to beat me. She has me beat on the first hole.”
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“Happy Valentine's Dear. I love you and you are the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Valentine's Day keeps everything in perspective. It has a long history and it should continue to be celebrated because we once in a while need a reality check and know that we love our spouses and our families and we need a true day to let each other know how we feel. This is not to say that we should not say, “I love you,” each and every day of the week, we just have a special day to say it and with the best intentions possible.
Happy Valentine's Day, see you next week on President's Day.
(Author's note: The pictures are from the office of Paul J. Glass, MD, Tucker, Georgia. My wife decorates for most if not all major holidays. She does a great job all the way to the candy.)
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