February 6, 2009

Be my love

By Bill Highlander
Editor

Have you ordered flowers yet? Bought candy? Made dinner reservations? Valentine’s Day will be here soon.

It’s the number one holiday for florists. Roses, red especially, seem be the most popular choice. But the florists say many hues of roses are available and bouquets of other flowers work well too.

The Chocolate Manufacturers Association estimates that more than 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates will be sold as gifts for your sweetie. Valentine’s Day is the fourth-biggest holiday for candy purchases and February is National Chocolate Month. Hint: Men would rather get chocolates than flowers.

Wine goes well with chocolate also. Red wine supposedly helps you live longer and chocolates contain antioxidants. It’s said that a good love life adds to longevity too. So be romantic, have a delicious cabernet sauvignon with dinner and eat a chocolate dessert. (Some think it’s an aphrodisiac.)

Of course, a card is always appropriate for Valentine’s Day. The card may be flowery poetic sentiments from a greeting card company, or handwritten for the sweetheart in your sixth grade class, anything works as long as it conveys a loving thought.

The first card is thought to have originated hundreds of years ago. One version has it that a priest was imprisoned for secretly marrying young couples against the wishes of the emperor of Rome. While imprisoned, Valentine fell in love with a young girl who visited him. Before being killed, he sent her a letter signed: From your Valentine.”

Other legends say that the day is celebrated in February because in Roman times, a spring fertility festival was usually held in honor the god of agriculture. Some even think birds select their mates in mid-February and humans began to emulate them.

However you mark Valentine’s Day, it’s a time to express good thoughts toward others and perhaps enjoy romancing your favorite person.