The History Valentine’s Day (Plus 4 Unique Ways To Celebrate This Month)
Photo by Dario Rawert
Despite Valentine’s Day being third in 2023 for holiday money spent by people in the United States, and a holiday celebrated the world over with special traditions, gifts, matchmaking games, festivals, and even adventure themed marriages like skydiving and bungee jumping (looking at you,Thailand), I would guess not many of the world’s celebrants know the history behind the holiday.
While the identity of Saint Valentine is a bit hard to pin down exactly, there are two different histories that tell of men (who may be the same man), from whom Valentine’s Day gets its name. The first man was a Roman priest, and the second a bishop from an area that is now modern day Terni, Italy.
Both men were martyred on February 14th during the third century, A.D. Both are said to be buried along the Via Flaminia outside Rome (at different distances from the city). Both men were known for ministering to fellow Christ followers and sharing the gospel, for which they were martyred, as it was illegal under Emperor Claudius II.
There are also legends surrounding a Valentine performing secret marriages for Christians (which was also illegal at the time as unmarried men were needed for the army), also healing a judge’s blind daughter, and then signing off a letter to her before his death as, “From your Valentine.”
A yearly feast day on February 14th in his honor first began under Pope Gelasius I in 496 A.D. Then, Geoffrey Chaucer (1340’s - 1400) wrote a poem entitled, “Parlement of Foules” (modern translation being, “Parliament of Fowls”). This poem, of about 700 lines, is the first documented instance of Valentine’s Day being a special day for lovers.
One Valentine’s legend I read several years ago particularly caught my eye, and has influenced how I’ve celebrated the day since. It references St. Valentine as having sent letters to other Christians to encourage them in the faith.
It’s not particularly flashy, fancy, or sugar filled, but this idea of using the written word to let others know how I appreciate them and to hopefully strengthen them a bit for the trials of daily life, has given Valentine’s Day (and the month of February) a whole new meaning and mission for me.
Here are a few fun ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day in the spirit of the legend of Saint Valentine, writer of encouraging words:
01 | Cover a door with hearts
I found this idea on Pinterest several years ago, and that year I covered my kids’ doors, and my own bedroom door (for my husband) with paper cut out colored hearts. Each night from the eve of February 1st through Valentine’s Day eve, I would put up on each door one paper heart, specific to that person, with something I love about them written on it.
It might be, “I love your smile!” or “You are such a good helper in the kitchen!” or for my husband, “You are a fun dad!” You can do this for anyone, however. Besides your spouse or kids, you could make them for a coworker, a friend, a roommate, a teacher, a boss, a parent, or an extended family member; anyone where you have access to their door (could be the front door of their house or office door) each day.
After the first couple of days they will be looking forward to the next heart arriving each morning, and the warm feelings of encouragement and being recognized for their specific beloved qualities.
02 | 100 Things I Love About You
I found this idea on Pinterest as well, and while I haven’t done it myself yet, I’m going to save it for a future Valentine’s Day. You fill out sticky notes with things that you love about someone (100 of them), and put it on their bathroom mirror (or a door would work too) in the shape of a large heart for them to find on Valentine’s Day.
This website even offers templates to print onto sticky-notes to help you brainstorm all the reasons you love the receiver. It would take a little prep-work, but what a beautiful and meaningful way to tell someone you appreciate them!
03 | Write a letter to a stranger
There are several organizations that help link up letter writers with people in need of some written encouragement. Elders in nursing homes, deployed service men and women, children in the hospital, refugees, and those battling cancer are a few of the recipients waiting for a letter of joy and positivity.
The organizations often offer tips and guidelines on how to write a letter that will most help the receiver. You can look up an organization online or follow the following links:
Cardz for Kidz (also seniors, veterans, and others worldwide)
Girls Love Mail (for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer)
Any Refugee (postcards for child refugees)
Letters Against Depression (for those battling mental illness)
Children International (for children living in poverty)
04 | Write a thank you letter a day
Last year, I decided that I was going to write a thank you letter a day for the month of February. I bought a pack of cards with envelopes and each day I wrote a card either to someone I personally knew or to a business or group of people I was in regular contact with.
I wrote cards for all the usual recipients you might guess: my husband, kids, mother, and friends, but I also wrote to several different workers at my church and to the staff at my local Trader Joe’s where I shop each week. I mailed some letters, occasionally handed them to the person, but just as often left them in places they would find them later.
Sometimes I signed them, many times I left them anonymous. I would try in each letter to name something specific to that person or group that I really loved and also tried to always write something to encourage them looking forward. It took only a few minutes each day, but it was a fun exercise which also showed me how many amazing people I have in my life.
There are so many people in your life that could use encouragement or a note reminding them that they are appreciated and cared for. Who wouldn’t enjoy receiving a random note telling them how special they are?
If you start thinking about all the different people you interact with regularly, everyone from delivery drivers, medical care workers, grocery store staff, coffee shop baristas, teachers, neighbors, friends, and family, we are so blessed with precious people all around us.
Whether you are writing a paper heart, a sticky note, a letter, or a thank you note to someone you know, or a fellow traveler on earth that you haven’t yet met, we can each use the written word to encourage in the spirit of St. Valentine, and in the process be encouraged ourselves.
Happy writing!
