Happy Valentine's Day

 

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. - Lao Tzu

Love looks not with eyes, but with the mind.  - William Shakespeare  

When you love someone, you love the whole person, just as he or she is, and not as you would like them to be. -Leo Tolstoy

How did Valentine's Day turn into a tradition of Love?

_{Many stories abound.} 

_{Appearing in Ancient Rome, a festival called Februalia focused on spring cleansing. Ovid explained that Februare in Latin meant purification with water.} 

Excessive rainfall occurred that time of year, possibly a reason the month received its name. 


The festival turned into Lupercalia arriving on February 15, to avert evil spirits, purify a city, promote health and fertility. 

In 270, Emperor Claudius II prohibited marriage for young men. He claimed bachelors made the best soldiers. A Roman priest, Father Valentine, married young lovers in secret because he believed in love and felt the ban was unjust. 

Claudius captured St. Valentine and held him in jail. Young lovers, secretly wed by Father Valentine, brought him flowers and notes to show their gratitude. 

One twist of the story revealed that once in jail, St. Valentine fell in love with the daughter of Claudius. Before he was executed on February 14th, he sent her a letter signed, “from your Valentine.” 

By the 18th century, individuals celebrated Valentine's Day by showing love with flowers, chocolates, and greeting cards. The tradition continues.  

Writers have mused and muddled about relationships for centuries.

Mustang Love

Spill- a-minute,

bounced

in wild

rides

of flesh and hug.

Climb back on

or

cool down.

Never a taming.
   

When you count everything you love, how long until you list yourself?