A Valentine's Day Guaranteed to go off like a Frog in a Sock
Valentine's Day! What a great day for romantics at heart! Any
excuse to celebrate a day of l'amour is in my opinion, a good
excuse and on the 14th February cards, flowers and the whole
love thing will be celebrated for many with romance and style.
The history of this day has origins in both Christian and
Ancient Roman tradition. As a matter of fact there are many
legends surrounding Valentine and the day it was yet to become.
According to the Catholic Encyclopedia (1908) there are least
three St Valentine's recorded.
One legend has it that in 269 AD in ancient Rome, Saint
Valentine was secretly performing marriages and engagements in
direct contravention of the Emperor Claudius II, who banned
marriages and engagements in an attempt to recruit and enlist
more soldiers (recruitment numbers were down because the men
wanted to remain with their loved ones). Alas and alack it was
all too good to last, when St Valentine's secret was discovered,
as punishment for his crime, he was thrown into jail, beaten
with clubs, followed by execution.
The legend goes that before he was beheaded on 14th February, he
fell in love with his jailor's daughter and wrote her a
billet-doux (love letter). It's said he signed off on his note
with "from your valentine". Many years later in 496 AD, Pope
Gelasius declared a day of honour for Valentine and so began
Valentine's Day.
Meanwhile, in ancient Roman days the 14th February celebrated
and honored Juno, Queen of Roman Goddesses and Gods who was also
said to be Goddess of woman and marriage.
Another legend has it that Valentine was an early Christian who
made friends with many children. The Romans apparently
imprisoned him because he didn't worship their gods. The
children, missing Valentine, would hand him loving notes through
the bars of his cell.
Whatever the legends, the 14th February is the day where many of
us exchange cards (anonymously or not) and do something romantic
for our partner.
Having a pretty good idea on what women want, flowers,
chocolates, and a card (yes I know some of us are still
waiting...) I wondered what men wanted and so asked a group of
men if they could have something they really wanted what would
it be?
The majority of responses I'm not able to reprint (side
splittingly funny nevertheless) and asked them to think
seriously about what they would like to have on Valentine's Day.
Never having been asked before, this proved to be a somewhat
difficult question for them to answer, but soon started warming
to this question.
For partners scratching for ideas, the following will give you
some idea what he really wants if it were up to him. I was told,
come up with any of the following and it's guaranteed
Valentine's Day will go off like a frog in a sock:
Please note that the opinions contained herein are not
necessarily those of the author...
A beautiful meal at a restaurant (probably because they
couldn't have what they really wanted first up so this was a
safe start);
A good book and the silence to read it;
A weekend away at a resort or hotel;
Day-tripping around coastal or country areas, eating breakfast
and lunch out at different places;
Hanging out with loved one;
Breakfast in bed;
Driving an open top sports car for the day;
A ride in a supersonic jet;
Nice bottle of single malt 100 year old scotch;
Police arresting and taking away the mother-in-law;
Massage in a day spa;
Complete day of wife or partner agreeing with everything said;
24 hour nag-free day;
Someone else working at your day job for the day;
Wife or partner completely losing their voice for the day;
To be alone;
Visit an art gallery;
Visit a museum;
Play golf or go to a sporting event - whatever is in season; and
Ride a Harley Davidson.
Even if you're not into Valentine's Day, it's the perfect excuse
to have that frog go off in a sock by doing something wonderful
for you and your partner, and if single, you can do something
especially for you.
Michaela Scherr
Transformational Coach