Apparently, Valentines Day dates back to 496AD, and St Valentine remains in the Catholic list of Roman martyrology. He was a priest & a martyr, & it appears that he married Christian couples, which was a dangerous thing to do at the time. There must have been an amazing story behind this – I would love to know it!
Nowadays, Valentines Day is treated by some as a fun day, some as a chance to express an interest in someone that has so far been less obvious, and for others, just an expression of love to their nearest & dearest. The main thing is, it’s a feelgood day – like May Bank holidays – there’s a buzz in the air.
As a florist, the interesting thing is when it comes to serving the customer, the choice of flowers is easier than the card message. All year round, people reel off card messages, but all of a sudden, deadly serious, brain-racking men need to call me back when they’ve given it some thought. I’ve had six foot two guys pacing up & down, wrinkled brow, considering the right words.
When I think of romance in the written word, I think of Shakespeare’s sonnets, John Donne & D. H. Lawrence. But is it acceptable to quote from someone? Not unless it really has a special meaning in the context of the gesture. That’s why those guys find it so tough.
My own love is an old one. Sean will give me a card with a beautiful message, penned by someone else on the cover, & inside will be his own personal message. The best of both worlds.
The message can be like trying to buy a dress for a special occasion – in & out of the changing room, looking in the mirror – this is gorgeous, but too ostentatious – love this, but is it mutton dressed as lamb? – I feel great in this one, but it’s black again….
I found one quote that, for me, is the equivalent of the classical black dress: ” Love does not dominate: it cultivates” Goethe