Lighter Side Of The Holiday
Take a trip down Valentine’s Day memory lane. Did you buy those flat boxes of tiny Valentines? Did you sign them and tuck them in a small candy heart? Then there was the Valentine box that you created yourself. There had to be an opening at the top. You would proudly place the box neatly on your desk. Everyone in the class would go from desk to desk to deposit these cheesy thoughts of love. Honestly that ritual still remains my favorite Valentine’s Day memory.
Christian Side Of The Holiday
Valentine’s Day named after the Christian Martyr Valentinus is now celebrated as the festival of love on February 14! The 3rd century Roman Emperor Claudius II wanted men who could serve in the military to remain single. The Christian priest Valentinus married many young lovers in spite of the law. St. Valentine as we know him today was beheaded in the name of love.
Pagan Side Of The Holiday
As in many cases Christian holidays are connected to earlier pagan practices. Valentines Day is associated with the pagan feast of Lupercalia. The pagan celebration lasted from February 13-15 in Rome. Men would kill a goat and a dog. After the hunt they would drink, get naked, and basically beat women with the hides of the animals that they killed. Women lined up for this because they believed that the beating would make them fertile.
Please enjoy Valentine’s Day photos below and Joyeuse Saint Valentiin!
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- Valentine cookies – La Baguette De Normandy, Parker Colorado
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- RED! Beautiful Georges Restaurant Paris!
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- Meticulously placed meringues – Paris!
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- Meringue Cake – Paris
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- Young Couple at Happy Hour – Balthazar, Soho NYC
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- Sprinkles – Soho NYC
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- Four Seasons San Francisco