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For twas not into my ear you whispered
But into my heart
Twas not my lips you kissed
But my soul"

~Judy Garland

Millette Moments: Valentine’s Day Gifts

The tradition of celebrating Valentine’s Day has an oddly elusive history but nevertheless has gained momentum through time.

Although it has become one of the top commercialized dates of the year, society’s connection to the symbolism of Valentine’s Day gives hope that people will pause to show tribute to those who take the time to love them throughout the year.

Three Basic Theories Comprise the Origin

In researching the origin of Valentine’s Day, I found there are three basic theories as to how this special day of the year came to be. Some experts say the celebration originated from Saint Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died Feb. 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries.

Legend also has it that another Saint Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, so to say, and signed it "From Your Valentine."

Yet, other scholars hold that the true Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius ordered Valentine be jailed for defying him and in 496 A.D., Pope Gelasius set aside Feb. 14 to honor him.

Through time, Feb. 14 was recognized as the day for lovers. This led to the exchange of love messages and Saint Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The tradition grew to become the day for sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. Throughout time, it became a prime date for social gatherings and balls."

Miss Esther Howland is credited for sending the first valentine cards In the United States. Commercial valentines were introduced in the 1800's and since then; the obligation to buy cards, flowers and other gifts has permeated society.

Of course, some say there are more significant contributions to this ongoing celebration, which you can read about at PictureFrames.co.uk

Back to the Economic Aspect

Given the current state of economic affairs and the associated dip in disposable incomes, one might think of Valentine’s Day as one of those holidays where expenditures could be cut back without much repercussion. But the National Geographic website has some interesting data quite contrary to this assumption. They report that each average US consumer is expected to spend $102.50 on various Valentine's Day gifts, meals and entertainment according to an annual U.S. National Retail Federation survey, which is only about $20 less than 2008. While most money is spent on spouses, there's still plenty to go around for kids, friends, co-workers and even pets, with the most common purchase being greeting cards. And candy is the cash cow.

Want to read more fascinating facts and figures about Valentine's day? Do check out the full National Geographic article.

Love is Showing Appreciation through Selfless Action

Quotes have been carefully scrawled throughout history to capture the spirit or even immortalize leaders. But the fact that private words spoken of passion would prove to carry such a historical significance when so many other words written with intention to change the world, or at least local politics at the time, disappear like dust in the wind fascinates me.

So do the everyday things that those near and dear do for me to make my life easier.

Don’t get me wrong, jewelry, chocolates and flowers are sweet and always appreciated.

Yet, it’s fixing the heater core, the brakes and changing the oil in my S-10 Blazer with a sweet smile, greased up face and hushed frustrations that make me more thankful than many could imagine. It’s scraping the ice off the windows before I hit the road to attend a meeting or gather news, allowing me extra time to enjoy my morning cup of coffee in my bathrobe, or understanding why I don’t make it to bed until the wee hours of the morning when hovering over the computer to get a story in that make me pause with gratefulness. And it’s those road trips, camping "quality time" and kicking back by the river or being spun around on the dance floor that remind me how very, very fortunate I am.

To me, the best part of Valentine’s Day is the giving: Not so much material things, but taking advantage of the moments when I can say or do the right thing to make someone special to me feel as wonderful as he or she deserves to feel.

For the most part, I try to reflect the honorable qualities those who mean a lot to me shine on me. On this traditional day of sharing one’s heart, I say thank you to those special people in my life. That includes my readers and the supporters of my efforts to make a difference in this community through my passion of keeping the tradition of the written word alive, truthful and hopefully, enlightening.