While grocery shopping the other day, I couldnot avoid the plethora of red and pink displays for Singles? Awareness Day, otherwiseknown as Valentine?s Day. I began wondering where this holiday emerged from, and attempted to seek out reason for what I?ve always thought of as just another Hallmark holiday wrought with consumerism and pointlessness. According to the HistoryChannel?s Web site, “Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.
When Valentine?s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beatenand tortured. According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first ?valentine? greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl — who may have been his jailor?s daughter —- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed ?From your Valentine,? an expression that is still in use today.”
Well, there you have it. After reading this I was so inspired to continue that Elementary school tradition of buying perforated valentines in cardboard boxes and giving them to my friends (note sarcasm).
Being a Resident Assistant, I was searching for alternative bulletin board ideas for the month of February. I thought a “love your body” theme would be appropriate. I came across many Web sites that give tips on how to love yourself, some of which were downright hilarious.
Some reminded me of the “Saturday Night Live” sketch with Al Franken playing the character of Stuart Smalley, standing in front of the mirror saying, “Gosh darnit, people like me!” I also found that there is also anti-Valentine?s Day merchandise.
I?m not one of those jaded people who have just come out of a break up. I?m not sad that I don?t have a Valentine.
Rather, I?m simply sick of the merchandising. Maybe I?m just cranky because Wegman?s was so busy when I went grocery shopping, but I?m vowing not to purchase anything for Valentine?s Day. I?m not going to give in. I?m not even going to decorate my door with black hearts or anything anti-Valentine?s day. No, I?m going to act as though the “holiday” doesn?t even exist, because it shouldn?t. Starting right now. All right, so writing this column is acknowledging its existence, so….starting NOW.