Thank goodness for the card aisle at the grocery store. It tells me what to celebrate next. After I bought bread, milk and eggs yesterday, I was reminded that Valentines day is on the way. I will call your attention to that as well.
A short history lesson comes first. Contrary to popular opinion, Valentines day was not a promotion by Hallmark to increase profits by selling cards. It began, rather, as a Christian holiday around the third century. It was to bring attention to Saint Valentine who was actually punished and killed for performing the marriages of soldiers. It was thought that unmarried soldiers would be better warriors if they were not distracted by thoughts about wives. Because women were considered a distraction, they were beaten with the hides of goats and dogs. The beatings were also thought to make the women more fertile. You certainly won't see this history lesson in any current greeting card. During the middle ages, the beatings gave way to greeting cards.
Do keep in mind that our current Valentines day is not just to honor lovers. It is to applaud admiration of all types - love of parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, siblings, support of neighbors, teachers, friends, co-workers, health care providers, gratitude for those who provide services to us of all kinds.
One can share feelings of gratitude in many ways that do not necessarily involve spending money on chocolates and flowers. Consider the following free ways of saying Happy Valentines Day - watching a movie in your living room with a bowl of home made popcorn - lighting fragrant candles with a background of lovely music, playing board games while enjoying snacks, leaving notes of appreciation in unexpected places, serving breakfast in bed, writing a sincere letter, leaving a love note on your friend's steering wheel and filling the car with red balloons, decorating a room in a special way or preparing a favorite meal.
It is my hope that you are now motivated and creative. I wish you health and love. By the way, happy Valentines day.