History suggests that there are two possible explanations why a day in February was chosen as a festival for lovers.

The first reference to the event was the Roman Feast of Lupercia, which took place in February. At the beginning of the celebration, the names of boys and girls of every village would be put into a large urn. Sets of names would then be drawn out and the couple would then be a pair throughout the celebration.

The second basis, which also perhaps describes the specific date of February 14th originates from medieval times when it was considered that this was the date birds started mating.

There are three possible actual St Valentines, but the most well-known belief is that he’s a Roman priest. When Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men, since he considered men were better soldiers if they were single, the priest, Valentine, continued to marry people in secret. He was at some point discovered and jailed where he fell in love with the jailer’s daughter prior to his execution. Apparently he created the first Valentine card to her promising his love and signed it ‘Your Valentine’, words still used on cards today.

Actually, giving a Valentine card is one of the biggest traditions related to Valentine’s Day and it positioned second only to Christmas in the number of greeting cards mailed.

There are a number of amusing traditions regarding finding the name of your future husband on Valentine’s Day. An example is running around your local church 12 times at midnight on the eve of February 14th. Hopefully, you’ll witness an apparition of the man in question. Another custom says that the first name of a man you read on Valentine’s Day will be the name of your future husband.

Giving flowers has grown to be associated with love and romance, specifically on Valentine’s Day. Below is a brief lesson on the language of flowers and the message you’ll express with a specific flower selection:

Camellia: You are perfect in every way
Red Carnation: My heart aches for you
Chrysanthemum (Red): I love you
Daffodils: You are the only one for me
Gloxinia: Love at first sight
Blue Hyacinths: Our love is steady
Red Rose: For/from a passionate lover
Sunflower: I adore you
Red Tulip: You are the best lover

Indeed, we like to find and express love in whatever ways possible. But make it easier by getting yourself required on a blind date. Simplydinner.co.uk is an online London dating site where in you register yourself on one of their dinner dates and they’ll be responsible of setting you up not just on a single person, but a group of people. You will connect with plenty of people in a single night, with the cost the same as a single date.

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Ever wondered what is Valentines Day? You know it is the festival of love and gifts without forgetting the roses but there is a whole history about Valentine’s Day which maybe you have never thought about. Back in time for a Valentines day history session.

St Valentine! – The celebration itself has the word Saint and this tell us that Valentines Day is something that relates to a saint or an angel if you wish. We sometime mistakenly call this angel Cupid or simple the Love Angel.Valentines day is a festival which is mostly of Roman (ancient) and Christian origin but nowadays this is celebrated worldwide.

The real and confirmed origin of Valentines Day is unknown, however there are many legends and stories that relates to its origin. The most common legend is that of Saint Valentinus.

Valentinus was a priest in Rome during the 3rd century and at that time rules by emperor Claudius II. It is said that Valentinus was executed because he disobeyed an order of the emperor. In fact Emperor Claudius wanted to abolish marriage and convince males to not have any intimate or emotional attachment with females.

The Emperor thought that men without wives and family are better soldiers. As such he made marriage an illegal thing. Valentinus was opposed to this and conducted secret marriage ceremonies for lovers. When the Emperor was alerted of that practice, he ordered that Valentinus to be killed.

Since then, Saint Valentinus became the symbol of love and the angel that unite lovers.

Another legend has it that Valentines day was in fact started by the Christian church. It is said that Valentines day was introduced so that the Lupercalia Pagan festival can be christianised and accepted by the church and also among the emerging religious power at that time. Lupercalia was a somehow barbaric festival using sacrificial blood and doing lottery like “women choosing”.

In ancient Rome, 15 February was in fact the start of the fertility period and dedicated to the Roman God Faunus. However this is just a less known legend related to Valentines Day.

Since our own civilization history has been manufactured and re-manufactured over the centuries by power hungry leaders and religious leaders, it is a bit difficult to know the EXACT origin of Valentines Day.

The most accepted one being the Valentinus Saint of course but sometime we ask ourself if Valentines day was not legitimized just for the sake of unknown and personal advantage of some “group” or “specific rank of people”. This is for the past of course.

All we know is that, today Valentines day is a festival of love, affection exchange, caring and sharing and of course…a whole business of flowers, gifts, clothes and everything that are red.

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One of the least romantic days of the year is Valentine’s Day. Yes you heard me correctly. The majority of lovers act like robots, purchasing flowers and chocolate for their sweethearts because that is what everyone else is doing. Many people celebrate the day out of obligation rather than celebration.

Here are some ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day a bit more romantically and creatively, brought to you by the author of 300 Creative Dates, Michael Webb.

MY SPECIAL VALENTINE

Submitted by: Dianne Werthmuller

These are my ideas, I gave these to my husband for 3 different  Valentines Days in past…

1) I found old games at garage sales (bought at next to nothing prices) and saved only the game pieces and cards (Monopoly was a score) I used the Monopoly “chance” cards – wrapped in red and listed for my hubby how he could exchange the card for, get out of an argument free, forgetfulness free card, I’m sorry card, etc. along with a handmade Valentine’s card to him saying how I was glad I was married to him.

2) One year I made and laminated 2 ea. (2″ x 3″) cards printed with FREE PASS anytime, anywhere –were in small fine print and added this to my blonde brownies in heart basket. He has a pass to anywhere anytime (one was in case he lost one of them.) He really liked that card!

3) I found a small red mail box, addressed it to him with the flag up, and made up my own coupons (free manicure, free facial, free foot rub, free I’m Sorry, free day with the guys, free wash and wax, free ‘I don’t want to have to go to ________, free to do what I want to do day,etc. He used them all up for his special occasions! And I got the benefits of all those coupons too, because I love doting on him!

You can be creative and cost-conscious at the same time.

SHOW THE WORLD YOUR LOVE

Submitted by: Susan Biblel

One year when we had no money, my husband spelled “I love you Susan Jo” with cutout letters of cardboard and put it on our garage door. When I came home from work, that was there for all the world to see. He was used to coming up with creative idea’s on a budget

Well, this year was no different, we live in Ohio, where there is usually snow on the ground in February. So, my hubby got a red can of spray paint (he had already) and out in our pasture, he wrote his Valentine message to me! It was beautiful! Bright red paint on the glistening snow saying “I love you, the love of my life!” The people he worked with thought it was so neat, the newspaper came and took a picture and it was in the evening news! It is one of my most memorable gifts ever!

NOT JUST FEBRUARY 14

submitted by: Mark Hughes

Two years ago I decided to stretch Valentine’s Day out all year long. After cutting out 365 pink, red and white hearts from copy paper, I set out on the daunting yet loving task of placing a special message on each one.

Some were scripture notes from the Bible to give encouragement or verses that were special to me and by wife. Some were date notes: movie of your choice, dinner out, dinner fixed by me, a drive to the beach, etc. Some were chore or help notes: I do the dishes for a week, I’ll clean the bathrooms, I’ll watch the baby this weekend, etc. And some were sweet nothings: back rub, take a long bath, take a nap while I take the baby, let’s look at our wedding photos and reminisce…

Once all the hearts had a message, each was folded and placed in a large jar decorated with appropriate Valentine’s colors and shapes. I wrapped her special gift, which she opened and then placed on the counter where she could reach for each day’s note, to be used at her discretion. It has been a simple yet wonderful way to keep us aware of each others needs.

Happy Valentines Day!

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