Did Adam and Eve ever have a ‘date’?
No, they had an apple.
True Valentine Love
It’s Valentine’s evening. You have a date. You’re driving to pick up your valentine at the bus stop. Outside, a storm rages. At the bus stop are three people: an old lady who looks as though she is about to die, an old friend who once saved your life, and the perfect partner, your valentine. Your car is a two-seater, designed for couples only.
What would you do? You could pick up the old lady and save her from the storm, or help your old friend as a way of repaying a life-saving debt. But leaving your valentine behind might ruin your special evening.
This moral dilemma was part of a job application. Out of 200 applicants, only one gave a smooth answer: “I would give the car keys to my old friend and let him take the lady home. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the partner of my dreams.”
What did the paper clip say to the magnet?
“I find you very attractive.”
Traditional Valentine Love
Lovers go out of their way to make Valentine’s Day magical. But after marriage, why does that initial thrill seem to fade? Valentine’s Day is an opportunity for couples to revive romance, through time, attention, gifts, hugs, and kisses.
Social media messages, emails, or texts, while convenient, can’t match the charm of a hand-written love letter accompanied by a single red rose. A handwritten note is personal, tangible, and precious, especially for long-distance couples. The wait to receive it builds anticipation, making the moment of reading it all the more special.
What did one plate say to the other on Valentine’s Day?
“Tonight, dinner’s on me.”
Creative Valentine Love
Romance doesn’t need to be extravagant; it needs thoughtfulness. Here are some ideas:
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Surprise your partner with a picnic in a secluded spot.
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Plan a long romantic getaway together.
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Play your favorite nostalgic songs during a long drive.
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Relive the scene of your first date.
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Personalize gifts, letters, and moments with thought and care.
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Cook your partner’s favorite meal together. Shared tasks like cooking strengthen bonds and create lasting memories.
Why didn’t the two dogs make serious Valentine plans?
It was just puppy love.
Modern Valentine Love
Some see Valentine’s Day as a one-night opportunity, dates with no strings attached. For these Casanova-type personalities, the day is about momentary fun, not commitment. Experts say the hype around Valentine’s Day pressures people to have a date, turning it into a status symbol rather than a celebration of love.
What did the stamp say to the envelope on Valentine’s Day?
“I’m stuck on you!”
Christian Valentine Love
About 250 years after Jesus’ birth, a priest named Valentine lived in Rome. Emperor Claudius II, “Claudius the Cruel,” forbade marriages, believing unmarried men made better soldiers. Valentine, however, continued to secretly marry couples, defying the emperor.
Caught and imprisoned, Valentine remained cheerful. Young visitors, including the jailer’s daughter, brought flowers and notes to him. On the day of his execution, Valentine left her a note signed, “Love from your Valentine.” This started the tradition of exchanging love notes on February 14, 269 A.D.
Christian Valentine’s Day begins with the divine Valentine, the Bible. Couples are reminded of God’s everlasting love:
“The Lord your God will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing” (Zeph 3:17).
They celebrate love through flowers (“I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys”, Song of Songs 2:1), sweet treats (“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”, Ps 119:103), and the recognition that God loved them even before they met. “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; with loving-kindness I have drawn you” (Jer 31:3). As St. Paul reminds us: “Abide in faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor 13:13).
This Valentine’s Day, whether playful, creative, or deeply spiritual, let love, human and divine, be your guide.
