V'Day

Valentine's day.

After lightly thinking about this "lovely" day, I decided to do some research. Apparently it's not a "Hallmark" holiday, but dates WAY back...before the printing press was even thought of, in around 498. It's obviously named after the St. Valentine, whose history is a mystery, wrapped in legends.

"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 beaten and 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. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure."

Anyway, there's a brief history from history.com.

I'm more concerned with the psychological effects of this bittersweet holiday. I've seen people walk around depressed all day because they don't have a 'sweetheart'. Why? February 14th is no different than February 13th or 15th.

So, I have a proposition. Stop feeling sorry for yourself!

Seriously though, you have a Lover like no other! Single or not, resolve to remember these "Valentine's" on every February 14th you experience from this point on:

Let's just go with Song of Songs, the whole thing. It is the greatest love story/song of all time.

"Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her back into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her." - Hosea 3:14

"And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord." - Hosea 3:19-20

"For your husband is your Maker, whose name is the Lord of hosts..." - Isaiah 54:5a

"The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord." - Psalm 45:11