You know what ‘Get Me Going’ about Valentine’s Day (besides the fact that it is grossly close to Christmas), is the depression of it all if you’re single. What single person really wants to face that day in this age? We can all joke and pretend, but deep down doesn’t everyone want a Valentine?
Aren’t we biologically inclined to be coupled with a life mate? Is this not what we all aspire to have? Or…have we all been sold a dream that snugly fits all the holiday consumerism I so love to express my humble opinion about?
Personally, I do the same with this holiday as I do Christmas; completely disregard until the last minute. It seems silly and wasteful until my subconscious somehow plays back all the adverts and visions of heart-shaped everything that I’ve witnessed since January 1st. Next, the pressure enters, and I feel I must do something. I can’t be empty handed, no not me! During years I’ve been single, there was always the need to be out celebrating with other singles. When involved, I become the scrambler. Waiting until the last possible moment to buy a gift that hopefully depicts my level of love/like accurately.
It’s all so exhausting.
Either way, Valentine’s Day always gets some method of payment out of me. A small part of me would enjoy mirroring RAUP (Revolutionary Alliance of Unpopular People) over in Tokyo and protest “romantic capitalism”. I mean, someone needs to. The money made and effort put into a holiday such as this could be used for so much more. Surprisingly, Valentines day commenced for reasons other than cavities and large purchases.
This amorous celebration began as a Western Christian Feast day. The feast honored varying saints named Valentinus. In Catholicism, there are three Saints bearing the same name. There is much mystery that surrounds the history of this time of year. The origins are sprinkled with Christianity as well as ancient Roman elements. Most stories include the Saint being a rebel for love. Other tales include Valentine helping Christians escape Roman torture along with a love story that includes the first love letter ever written. Either way you slice it, the guy was a martyr who was heroic and probably always got the lady. Conceivably introducing romance to a society of non-romantics. Oh, how I love origin stories. In addition, there are several versions of what marked the day (mid-February) as one to be celebrated. It could have been to honor the Saint on the anniversary of his death. Another theory includes the purification of the pagan holiday ‘Lupercalia’.
No matter the reason, love is always a beautiful entity that I don’t have the heart to harp on. I’ve just become frugal as I’ve gotten older and need to vent. I absolutely hope everyone enjoys their Valentine’s Day and gets all they desire. Thanks for reading! Cheers!
Trina Davenport, a Baltimore native, has been writing for over a decade and has an array of multiple talents. She holds a wealth of knowledge regarding media and loves to express herself through writing as well as a podcast she and her brother host. Trina’s background includes an IT degree as well as holding a four-year position as Vice President for a Baltimore Non-Profit. She also has a business called Vino Visuals that creates fine art using wine corks. She is thrilled to be a part of the OutWire family.
Podcast: Absolutely Alphas (YouTube, SoundCloud, FB, IG and all major streaming platforms)
Art: Vinovisuals.com
