THIS VALENTINE THING

Agnostic history of Valentine’s day.

…Artificial roses, romantic inscriptions, perfume (that will last till the end of February), gift packs, teddy bears, red and white colours suddenly dominating the market and almost 50% dresses of the society. Not also forgetting the cheaper prices of boxers 😒, Church programs suddenly deciding to teach her members genuine Love and every Love seminar, saint-like attitude from your female friends, increased headaches from over thinking and planning the perfect valentine’s day gift for that special someone, shots are being fired like some 1982 Rambo series, every one suddenly became your wife/husband by force, multiple debit alert (beginning of the apocalypse) and plenty chop-life geng (toilet — the end road)...

I recall painful memories of valentine’s day while I was in my primary and secondary school. Our teachers forcefully made us purchase a gift for someone else(your never wanting val) in the class. You could literally buy a Lamborghini for your Val and get a toy car in return — what a waste of Val 🤦‍♂️. All along, this autocratic uncivilized angels of pain we call teachers then never fully explained to us (I and my class mates) what really the Valentine’s day was about. In their bid to avoid long stories, they all planned to brief us with lies:

Like reciting a poem:

“Valentine was a good man who died for the Christians then and sent love letters to his babe while he was imprisoned. We therefore celebrate this special day (February 14) every year by sharing gifts to remind us of Love and blah blah blah.”

For reals now guys, aunty Precious of JSS 2 Faith in Living stone College, Lagos who was my class teacher boldly told us this crap. 😤 While I feel sorry till date to all the young minds who would share this same story to their children and children’s children, I believe you also, yes you! I mean you viewing this screen right now was in one way curious about the history of Valentine. And so, I have taken it upon myself to selflessly and heroically save you the stress of jumping many website searching for knowledge about the history of Valentine.

AGNOSTIC HISTORY OF VALENTINE

February has for long been a month of love and affection. All over the world, we share gifts, flowers and happiness all in the name of St. Valentine. People genuinely love someone special (note the word SOMEONE — a singular being, not a generation of a particular gender) by expressing it while others take advantage of the whole love atmosphere and.....

Now who exactly is this St. Valentine we never met but has by his existence created happy homes, started a relationship, caused a break up, created an unwanted pregnancy, strengthened someone’s failing relationship, etc.

THE LEGEND OF ST. VALENTINE ⚔️

The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, 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 (outlawed — 😂). Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret (Oshey, Aluta Continua 🗡️). When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. Still others insist that it was Saint Valentine of Terni, a bishop, who was the true namesake of the holiday. He, too, was beheaded by Claudius II outside Rome.

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, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl–possibly his jailor’s daughter–who visited him during his confinement.

“Yes, we both read the jailor’s daughter part where my Guy Valentine was sending letter to his babe whose father held him in captive. My point is, can it still happen in this our time? Where the babe still remains faithful in the prison ground or the guy still high in love while in chains” Mafo we read On.”

Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and–most importantly–romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Whether this myths are correct or not, truth is St. Valentine will be remembered for love sake and a special day every year.

THINGS TO DO ON VALENTINE

A short list of helpful tips for a memorable valentine’s day ☺️

You may not understand the beauty in this entire story because you are probably still single or have never celebrated valentine’s day in your relationship. Don’t fear, you won’t die single. 🙂

• For those already in a relationship, don’t be selfish with your expression of Love. Help someone not in a relationship out.
• Take that single friend along and let them be your photographer and media partner for records sake. 🙂

• If you are also single, stop shouting “God When” and making it obvious that you are still single to stupor all over social media.
• Do something creative with the time you have and have fun. This Valentine thing is once in a Year,🙂 don’t kill yourself as if it’s your last.
• Don’t spend all your money finish. Spend some papers too
• Make it memorable with the less privilege.
• Enter a store and pay for someone you haven’t met before.
• Compliment that lady/ guys outfit at least to spark a smile on their faces.
• Send an appreciation message to a loved one (not necessarily your val)
• Spread Love and laughter in every way you can.

If you still don’t understand what Valentines day stands for after reading all this , I wonder along with you o.

Till I find the strength to write to you all again, I remain your favourite fan.

Solanke Olamilekan k.

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