reflections on Valentine's Day

Before you start moaning and groaning and otherwise making a nuisance of yourself because "oh no, Sara's talking about holidays again," let me point out that unlike Christmas, Valentine's Day does not claim to worship God. Therefore, this is no sermon; it will merely be a tripartite post consisting of a) history, b) observations, and c) what I'm up to.

Sooo... what exactly is Valentine's Day anyway?

According to Wikipedia, St. Valentine was a bishop of Rome in 143 who placed the marriage bed on par with the sacrements. He also added something called "redemption" or "apolytrosis." Then, "the early Christians in efforts to stop the Germanic tribes from celebrating their rituals, dedicated this month [February] to St. Valentine ... the patron of all lovers."

But enough about that. Wikipedia says that today Valentine's Day is a day on which lovers express love for each other, often by purchasing one of the approximately one billion Valentine cards sold worldwide each year. Also mentioned is the tendency of bitter or sarcastic singles to christen the day "Singles' Awareness Day."

But this information, while interesting, is neither here nor there. I have not noticed any additions to the sacrements nor Germanic pagans around West Lafayette or Indianapolis on previous February 14ths.

I have seen a glorification of sex and lust (think Victoria's Secret). I have seen girls giddily excited because they expect great things and guys distraught because they know expectations are high and dinner reservations hard to come by. Until recently, I hadn't realized how much Valentine's Day can hurt for someone who doesn't have someone to share it with. It's like a continuous slap in the face, and since the pink and red is ubiquitous this time of year, you can't get away from it. Valentine's Day is a push to pair off and it knows no age boundaries. Fifth graders do not need another excuse to "date".

It seems to me that the couples who do Valentine's "right," those who truly are grateful to God for the love they share and aren't caught up in lustful passion, seem to do the same thing on February 14th as they do on their anniversaries. The guy buys the girl roses and they go out for a romantic dinner. She gets to get all dressed up. It seems to me the only differences are that Valentine's Day is not a personal, special date and everyone else is doing what you're doing, and also, you are leaving behind some broken hearts crying in their lonely apartments. Or mansions. Or hovels. Hurting people can be found everywhere.

I have also noticed that Victorian Valentine's Day cards are beautiful frilly little affairs, and that is why this post is sprinkled with them.

This Valentine's Day I am going to have dinner with my roommates and Bonnie, I believe. Andrew is off the hook for now, and rather relieved for it, I think. Although I did remind him that all that scrumptious chocolate is on fantastic sales around February 15th-17th (you have to get there before all the good ones are gone!).

I'm not going on a campaign against people who are having nice romantic evenings and cherishing special people. I plan on allowing such things to happen to myself, in fact (HINT). But not nine days from now.

Valentine's Day just makes me wonder, why? Why do we create an excuse (as if we need one!) to make people feel like they need someone to lust after? I choose to chase after God and thank Him for the love He brings my way in a myriad of ways.