Happy Valentine's!

I know that a lot of people think that Valentine's has become a holiday simply to make money. It is true. Sadly, so is Christmas. This is not the origins of these holidays and if you make sure to focus on the origins of them, you won't lose sight of the meanings.
Whether or not Valentine performed secret marriages in Rome for young lovers or helped them escape the harsh punishments of the Romans at the time or even if he himself fell in love and sent the first Valentine... Well, all of these things were done out of love for people. The undertones of the holiday included festivals for fertility as well as a cleansing of the home, since February in Rome was the official beginning of Spring.
It is far from coincidence that the majority of Christian holidays overshadow Pagan ones. That is another conversation for another time, of course. However, if you delve into the history, you will see the similarities. Love, fertility, new beginnings and life. So focus on these aspects rather than the commercialized ones. Choose what you will believe in and celebrate that without society and the media dictating it for you. Love is something wonderful, beautiful and pure. It should not be tainted by hatred or criticisms.



I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way
than this: where I does not exist nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

- Pablo Neruda, "Love Sonnet XVII"






(http://www.history.com/content/valentine/history-of-valentine-s-day)