^ An English Victorian Valentine
Happy Valentines, Galentine’s, Saint Valentine’s, or simply Love day to you.
Do you know the history of February 14th? It’s kind of random. The name comes from two Christian Valentines (of Rome and of Terni) who were martyred and given a day in February by the church. Later on, like many hundreds of years later, when courtship became more popular, people started celebrating this time of year by showing their affection with candies and flowers. It makes sense, because the time of year was associated with the first flowers blooming and “love birds”, and I’m sure people were happy to have something to get through the last weeks of winter.
But there are deeper roots than this. In ancient Rome, they celebrated Lupercalia, February 13-15, to honor Juno and Pan: the pagan gods of love, marriage, and fertility. They had many traditions, lots of which are not conclusive, but related to sex and purification. And since the Valentines, there’s been a push/pull to either reclaim the holiday or at least separate the religions and Gods involved.
But today we mix it all together once more. I recall growing up in the Catholic church, and Saint Valentine (one of the two) was mentioned at mass. We were reminded of the christian “origin”, but we also sent valentines and candy to our friends at school. And the priests didn’t mind.
Today, I think love and affection is quite Godly, especially toward friends and family. Lovers and sweethearts are cool, but it’s the ones we must love deeply and grow with- through terrible AND beautiful times with, in which we share in the devine.
Who are those people for you?
Tell them you love them. <3
A Homemade Valentine
I wanted to make a special Valentine for my husband this year, so I sat down and painted him one. I actually haven’t done this for him before! It was fun, and I added a french quote because he’s spent the last 4 years learning and reading french on his own. He’s a badass. The quote I used translates to:
“If you could read my heart, you would see the place where I put you.” - Gustave Flaubert
Here’s a time lapse video if you’d like to check out how it came together.
And the final Valentine:
I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine’s Day and a great rest of your month. Hugs to you and know I appreciate you taking any time to read through this and be on this journey with me.
Love,
Annie
Some things I’ve been loving:
The Emerald Podcast- mythical and thoughtful essays with lots of storytelling
I’ve cut out sugar and this chocolate has been a life saver and tastes gooooood.
Dennis Andrum’s Yoga Nidra meditations have helped my nervous system finally calm down.
I propose that Valentines Day also be a day to love and honor yourself. Why not? We deserve it. I spent several Valentines with a broken heart, and several happily single. May this poem be a Valentine for you, so that you may feast on your life and welcome yourself home again and again.
Love after Love
Derek Walcott
The time will come
when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other's welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.