The history of Valentine’s Day and the holiday’s namesake, Saint
Valentine, is not entirely known. The holiday is thought to have began as a
Christian celebration of the martyr Saint Valentine of Rome. It is believed
that Valentine’s Day was created many centuries ago to be celebrated at the
same time the three-day Roman pagan fertility festival, Lupercalia, was
observed. Thus, Valentine’s Day fell on February 14th, right smack in the
middle of Lupercalia.
According to history.com, the legend of Saint Valentine contends that he 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, realizing 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.
Legend claims an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the
first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl who
visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is said 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 heroic and romantic figure.
Today, Valentine’s
Day is still a holiday of love. It is punctuated by flowers, chocolates, poetic greeting cards and
paper hearts. About 150 million cards are exchanged for Valentine’s Day each
year, making it the second most popular card-sending holiday next to Christmas.
For many residents of The Scottish Home, though, Valentine’s Day can be a
lonely one. If you have a loved one residing in a
nursing home or assisted living center, take the time to pay them a visit or
send them a homemade Valentine. Receiving a visit, a greeting card, or a vase
of flowers will undoubtedly brighten their day. Thoughtful gestures like these
can mean so much to our residents! Beyond holidays, keeping a consistent
visiting schedule will help reduce loneliness. And as always, know that your
loved ones are in the good hands of our staff at The Scottish Home.
