Two days ago, many of us celebrated a holiday called Valentine’s Day. It is one of my girls’ favorite holidays as we decorate the house in pink and red hearts; they receive a simple gift, usually a fluffy stuffed animal, along with heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast. I’ve always wondered about the origins of this holiday and finally decided to look into it.
Did you know that Valentine’s Day is shrouded in mystery? According to History.com, the Catholic Church identified at least three saints named Valentine or Valentinus and were all martyred. One legend has Valentine, a priest performing marriages of young couples in the third century, against Roman Emperor Claudius II’s orders that outlawed the marriage of young men because it made them better soldiers. Another legend is of Valentine of Terni, a bishop who was beheaded by the same Roman emperor. Another story suggests the third Valentine was killed for helping Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, torture, and execution. Legend has it, Valentine sent the first “valentine” letter from prison to the jailor’s daughter before his execution, and he signed his letter “From your Valentine.”
So many other legends surround this day. Nonetheless, this day reminds us to acknowledge our loved ones beyond what we typically do the rest of the year.
When we love someone, we take a risk. We put our trust in that individual, be it a significant other, a friend, or even a family member. Loving others means surrendering a part of us knowing full well that they may not reciprocate. Loving someone means taking a risk unlike any other because this risk can cause long-lasting scars that can leave us beat, bruised, and even damaged. One of my biggest strengths and weaknesses is when I love others; I LOVE others. I put my all into it, and often I walk away feeling disappointed, hurt, and even abandoned. I’ve had my fair share of bad relationships, painful friendships, and even family member fallouts. With every failed attempt, I (we) walk away with more scar tissues covering our wounds. Leaving us struggling to trust if we can love again, and when we do, we are hesitant, or we do it with caution. We end up building physical barriers from others or leave up walls from the past, which means the next person will not get the best version of us, and we are not free to live the best version of ourselves either.
As I continue to grow, I have learned to focus on the person I am today and who I want to be tomorrow, instead of past hurt and pain. To experience amazing relationships in the future, we have to free ourselves of the past.
Are you someone you would love?
