Valentine's Day: Dark or Light?

Let's face it, the origins of Valentine's Day are pretty dark. The origins are so dark, that I won't even describe them, but you can read them for yourself. Through the centuries Valentine's Day evolved into a time for love, with Chaucer and Shakespeare romanticizing the day in their writings. The day gained popularity throughout Britain and the rest of Europe. Handmade paper cards became the tokens in the Middle Ages. Then entered Hallmark and American Greeting cards in the early 1900s. 

The other day on one of my favorite YouTube channels which features cooking, antiquing, and gardening, the host of the channel was talking about Valentine's Day and how it was strictly for couples and not for children. I have to disagree. 

Valentine's Day isn't just for couples. For the youngsters, it's a day to get creative with red paper Valentine art, write poems, enjoy sugary treats, and in a classroom come together to exchange cards to soften the playground bully or bring a smile to the shy kid in the back of the room. 

Going through a parent's estate can be a sad and daunting task, but once in a while, there are splendid memories and treasures to be found. We discovered Valentines our mother received when she was in grade school, along with the very first Valentine I ever made. I believe I was in kindergarten when I made the red construction heart accented with a paper doily (above). 

(For more photos of my collection of Valentines check out Valentine Ephemera) 

Today remarkable women also celebrate Galentine's Day, which is often celebrated on February 13th, but it can be observed any day between February 1 and Valentine's Day. Galentine's is a day when women get together and celebrate women with food, drink, and even clever party favors. "No boys allowed." 

And for the single people on Valentine's Day remember the words to Miley Cyrus's #1 Grammy hit, Flowers... 

I can buy myself flowers
Write my name in the sand
Talk to myself for hours...

I can buy myself flowers.