Valentine’s Day (February 14th)
has many unique legends around it. One is the powerful Valentine family of
priests. The Roman God of Love is known as “Cupid.” In 1382, Geoffrey Chaucer’s
seven hundred line poem, Parlement of
Foules, is the first reference in literature to St. Valentine’s Day being a
special day for lovers. Supposedly, birds choose their mates on this day.
Sweetest Day (third Saturday in
October) has also been called a Candy Company Holiday as well as a Hallmark
Holiday due to increased sales of these items on this day. I used to think of
it as the sequel to Valentine’s Day until I discovered its origins.
It’s 1922 in Cleveland, OH. Herbert
Berch Kingston, a candy company employee, distributed candy to the sick, shut-ins,
and orphans. Herbert’s act of generosity spread like wildfire to other cities throughout
America where it was put into practice.
My complaint about both of these
holidays is the commercial focus that is put primarily on the female. During
these two days, men everywhere scramble to find a unique way (whatever it may
be) to communicate love to the special female in their life.
It does not matter if they have already
been doing this all year round. Some of his worth as a man is based on how well
he does on these two holidays. Very rarely have I heard on TV (for these
holidays), “What will I get him?” I believe the only reason men care about
these holidays is because their women do. Other than that, they are just two
more days on the calendar. So during Valentine’s and Sweetest Days this year,
when cards, chocolate, flowers, or a romantic tryst is being given to that
special lady don’t forget the guy waiting for his time to be told he is also
special. To do otherwise makes you a hypocrite.
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