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Is Valentine's Day relevant?
February 01, 2016
Many people look forward to February 14 because it’s the day that persons in relationships typically go the extra mile to make their loved ones feel special.
I know that vendors who sell chocolate and flowers certainly like this holiday because it’s their biggest sale day of the year.
On the other hand, Valentine’s Day is not a good day for some people because they are reminded that they are single, and since their couple friends are off being romantic, that day ends up being very lonely.
I was having a conversation with some friends about Valentine’s Day and most of them felt that the day was unnecessary and they usually don’t do anything special on February 14 anyway.
So with this attitude towards the day itself, is Valentine’s Day even relevant anymore?
Let’s look at the evidence:
The history
The story of Saint Valentine is actually a tragedy. The Catholic Church recognises at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentines, all of whom were martyred. 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.
Valentine, realising 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. (Source: www.History.com)
Tough economy
The materialistic nature of 21st-century life has basically dictated that certain purchases are made for certain holidays, including Valentine’s Day. Many persons are still feeling the crunch of the economy and they simply cannot afford to partake in the chocolate and roses phenomenon. For those persons, they are met with challenges in their relationships when they come up short. Some relationships have even broken up because of how Valentine’s Day is treated.
High divorce/breakup rate
Relationships are ending on every level. Some unions end before the ink on the marriage licence dries, so Valentine’s Day has even less significance to those couples.
Technology
My friend was most annoyed when her boyfriend sent her an e-card and an animated bunch of dancing flowers because she was expecting the real thing. He was very quick to tell her that he is working with the technology.
Since we seem to do everything online, he may be right. Persons are forming relationships, staying in touch and even having sex online. Why can’t they share Valentine’s Day as well?
Proactive couple
Any proactive couple who try to be good to each other on a daily basis are not affected by Valentine’s Day because they are always making the effort. That is the trick to keeping the spark alive. If, as a couple, you do small and considerate things for each other daily, then you will always know how your partner feels and your union will be very strong as a result.
Ultimately, February 14 is as important as you make it, and you can decide how you spend it. Personally, I like Valentine’s Day because any day that reminds us to be nice to each other and do something special for the one you love is a good day. So use this day to just turn up the heat on your relationship. Have fun and stay sexy.
Send your questions or comments to sexychatwithshelly@gmail.com or Tweet me @drsexyann or Facebook www.facebook.com/allaboutthesexy Website: www.drsexyann.com
Question
Dear Dr Sexy-Ann,
I hate Valentine’s Day. I hate the stupid flowers and chocolate and I really hate all the red and white. I especially hate the fact that I don’t have anybody to spend it with. Help!
Brenda, Manchester
Dear Brenda,
Valentine’s Day really highlights how single you are, and I understand how you feel. But if you want to change being single, you need to get cracking. Go out and meet some new people and see where it takes you. You just might find someone you can hate Valentine’s Day with.
Good luck,
Dr Sexy-Ann
