A Valentine Wish!

February 14th, 2010 Saint Valentines day. Note the Saint. Isn't Hallmark lucky the politically correct haven't gotten a hold of this celebration. Or have they? Ignoring this is a religious holiday we've shortened it to Valentines day. Here's the history...

Saint Valentine's Day (commonly shortened to Valentine's Day)[1][2][3] is an annual holiday held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions.[1][3] The holiday is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). The holiday first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. (Wikipedia)

Boy, would that information put the politically correct shorts in a wad? I can see them now outside the Hallmark store with their signs and megaphones. Vehemently protesting the religious connotations of the day we celebrate love. Just like they try to take the Christ out of Christmas, society removed the Saint out of Saint Valentines day.

I found it interesting that our historical ties to Britain influences this day as well. Check this out.....

The sending of Valentines was a fashion in nineteenth-century Great Britain, and, in 1847, Esther Howland developed a successful business in her Worcester, Massachusetts home with hand-made Valentine cards based on British models. The popularity of Valentine cards in 19th century America, where many Valentine cards are now general greeting cards rather than declarations of love, was a harbinger of the future commercialization of holidays in the United States.[5] It's considered one of the Hallmark holidays.
The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year, behind Christmas. The association estimates that, in the US, men spend on average twice as much money as women (Wikipedia)

I added that little ditty about the commercialization on the end there. I know all choleric women will never let a man outspend them, so I'll expect lavish gifts from any and all of the choleric females I know. Guess I better clean the garage today so I have space for the new car! I'll get back to you on how that challenge worked out!

All kidding aside, and I was kidding, I'd rather have cash or precious gems. Happy Valentines day gang! I love sharing with you, and I hope you have a wonderful day! Don't forget to tell someone you love them, you may never get another chance. There is nothing so precious as the love one has for another, guard it with respect and cherish it always. There is no greater gift than your love, to be without love is my definition of hell. Thanks for sharing.

God Bless
Capt. Bill