Understanding Valentine's Day

I was lucky enough to be invited to guest-author a post on Donna Wood's Blog. Her site is a wonderful blog with interesting daily insights. Although I was given complete freedom to write as I wished, we both agreed that it would be fun for me to write on the subject of Valentine's Day. I am hoping that you all check out her site and decide to become a follower of her great work. Her blog is http://butterflyphoenix.blogspot.com/

Please check out her site and maybe read my post there. If you are unable to do so...please read me story below. I really would appreciate it if you leave a comment here AND go to her site and leave a comment as well. The comment here would be for me and the comment at http://butterflyphoenix.blogspot.com/ would be for Donna.

Well...here it is...


Valentine’s Day is upon us and as with many “Hallmark created” holidays, we head to the store to buy what we are expected to in order to satisfy the social pressures that we have learned to love in a mindless Lemming manner.

I am one of those guys that actually has followed such a tradition of getting the “required” props for each given created holiday so that no feelings are hurt and nobody feels left out. Yes, I at times, have been amongst the crowds of guys in the lines at grocery stores, convenience stores and even gas stations early in the day on February 14th. I have witnessed the shame on the faces of these men who refuse to make eye contact so they do not have to admit to themselves that they have made it to this level of shame. I am not sure if it part of the guy code to collectively respect the other men by refusing to put another guy through the embarrassment or if it is just an accepted line-of-shame decree passed down in the male DNA. Either way, this sad phenomenon exists and I am pretty sure all women know it lurks in the shadows of the day.

So where does this painful dance originate? It appears that over 3,000 years ago, some guy named Valentine believed in love. He believed so much, that he risked his life for love. He agreed to marry young male soldiers to their loves even though it was considered illegal at the time. He risked his life in the name of love. As he was sentenced to death, he was introduced to a young beautiful blind girl of significance. It was understood that he was a healer of sorts and he might be able to heal the girl. With no promise of freedom or pardon for his crime, he healed the girl. He was executed and left the girl, who had become his closest friend, a loving note. The note was signed, “from your Valentine.”


Now for the open and honest part. I am a man of passion and love. I enjoy doing special things for the love of my life. I look forward to being the romantic and caring one. Yes, I am one of those sensitive guys. I don’t really desire to be current on the latest trend of gift giving or for that matter, follow the tradition of candy and flowers. I would much rather give a hunk of wood that was found on a walk we took several years ago. I might attach a note of a memory I cherish from that particular walk and how the memory has enhanced my love for her. As far as I am concerned, celebrating a tradition that we assert is a holiday does not have to follow every norm set forth for us. It is more than the thought …it is the heart that counts.

I am a teacher, an author, a person who values humor and honesty. I am a guy with high expectations for self and for others around me. Like everyone else…I seek acceptance and love. On this Valentine’s Day or week…I hope you all find what matters to you in your own way. Whether it is tradition or non-compliance, flowers or a hunk of wood, outward or inward love…I hope you find what the day means for you.

Peace. Mark.