Today is the day of cupid, hearts and candy. Giggles, boxes full of envelopes and roses. Men rushing to stores to drop cash for some stuff animal, flowers and candy. Serious consequences of not playing along are comedy lines for years to come. It is a whole lot of stress and calories! The whole month is actually a month of romance according to history.com. This day of celebration is a combo of religion and tradition. Some folks even say it is the beginning of birds’ mating season. The actual origination of the holiday is very murky. Fertility festivals, martyred saints and blood purification rituals are all surrounding the wonder of Valentine’s Day.
A woman named Esther Howland in 1840, began selling the first mass produced valentines in America. She is known as the “Mother of Valentine”. She made them out of real lace, ribbons and what was to become known as “SCRAP” Scrap! She never even married, but united many couples through her valentines. This woman was amazing. She sold valentines for years and was very successful. She ran workshops and taught others her craft also.
Neat facts, and way cool that 144 million cards are exchanged on Valentines, 36 million heart shaped boxes of chocolates are sold. Men spend twice as much money on gifts than woman! I am talking, in 2017, 18.2 million dollars! It is the top day for millennials choose to become engaged! YIKES!
But, all those facts, still 3 in 10 adults reported in a survey that they are NOT celebrating this day of love. I am one of those 3 out of 10!
Did you know those awful tasting candy hearts were originally medical lozenges! For reals! The nastiest tasting candy next to Necco Wafers (and the same dude invented them). Although these are a great twist to a gross candy:
Now, I am blessed to have a great husband, who every year asked, “Are you sure? I don’t have to get you a gift?” Every year, I say, “I’m sure.” We laugh, but I know he is always uncertain. One of our favorite past times on Valentine’s Day, is to sit on a bench at Wal-Mart and watch the frenzy of men getting last minute gifts at 5pm before they go home, because they forgot! So, I guess, I do enjoy the day, just don’t play.
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