I have heard many people say that Valentine’s Day is just another way for Hallmark, restaurants, jewelers, and florists to make money. To me, this is very sad.

How did Valentine’s Day come into being?

Valentine’s Day was named after Saint Valentine of Rome. Saint Valentine performed weddings for soldiers, who were forbidden to marry because it was believed that love interfered with their ability to fight. He also ministered Christians, who were persecuted under the Roman Empire. 

In AD 496, Pope Gelasius I established The Feast of Saint Valentine to be celebrated every year on February 14th in honour of the Christian martyr, who died on that date in AD 269. In the 14th century, when courtly love became popular, February 14^th became associated with romantic love. 

In 18^thcentury England, Valentine’s Day developed more into the occasion we know today. This is when couples began expressing their love for each other by giving one another flowers, candy and greeting cards, known as “valentines.” And, nowadays, Valentine’s Day makes it easy for individuals of all ages to tell anyone they know that they care about them, whether it be family, friends, teachers, coworkers or lovers.

What is the value in celebrating Valentine’s Day?

I don’t understand people scoffing at a day dedicated to caring and loving one another. I am so grateful to everyone who is in my life that I want to celebrate my love and affection for those individuals. I look forward to the special occasions where we can create magic and make our friends and loved ones light up or, at the very least, smile!  

Our souls come here to love – to learn to love and respect ourselves and others. I have read numerous accounts of individuals being hypnotized and interviewed to learn about the journey of our souls; we come here to be the most loving and the least fearful. Now say everything I have read is wrong – can you honestly tell me there is any harm in thinking this way?  

The happiest of people smile often, compliment others, look at others with love in their eyes, feel gratitude regularly and see the beauty all around them. They are overflowing with LOVE, as opposed to withholding love. They use every opportunity to share their love with others!!   

Valentine’s Day does not need to cost you a dime

Absolutely NO money needs to be spent on Valentine’s Day. I remember having a picnic in my basement with my romantic partner one Valentine’s Day and receiving a love letter that made me overflow with happiness.  Sometimes, it is individuals not wanting to share their emotions, who end up searching for expensive presents to compensate for their inability to share the deepest part of themselves.

And for those who do not have a romantic partner, you can send appreciative texts to your family members, friends, coworkers and others. You can have a bath in the dark with candles all around you and play your favourite music in the background. You can write down everything you are grateful for until you have an aha moment. You can write a love letter to yourself. The possibilities are endless.

My wish for you

Loving and nourishing ourselves is the secret to all happiness and good health; it truly is. My hope is that this Valentine’s Day, you FEEL THE LOVE within. I hope you feel love and appreciation for yourself and see the good in everyone around you. I hope you feel compelled to tell at least one person what they mean to you. 

I just realized that I get to wish all of you a Happy Valentine’s Day! Thank you for being in my life, for giving me things to smile about each and every day. Thank you for teaching me how to be a better and better person all the time. Thank you for seeing the good in me and encouraging me to keep doing what I do. Thank you for loving me as I love you. I hope you love and embrace Valentine’s Day like never before ☺