Monday, February 9, 2015

Valentine’s Day: Why We Celebrate



I look forward to VALENTINE’S DAY each year.  I admit to being a romantic at heart. That’s probably why even my mystery novels always have a romantic element in them.

The day had its origin with the Romans. The fertility celebration known as the Lupercalia eventually became the Christian Valentine's holiday. The Lupercalia festival was partly in honor of Lupa, the she-wolf who in legend nursed the infant orphan twins, Romulus and Remus, supposed founders of the city of Rome in 753 B.C. The pagan festival was also in honor of the Roman god Lupercus who was the god of shepherds.

There are several different stories connected to three early Christian martyrs who came to be collectively called “Saint Valentine”. Besides becoming associated with love and romance, the holiday continued as a feast day.

Valentine’s Day is also the anniversary of my older son, Andrew Seewald, who is an attorney in New Brunswick, NJ. He and his wife met as grad students at Rutgers University. They were married before a judge on Valentine’s Day in 2003. My husband and I were their witnesses. After a lovely brunch at a local hotel, bride and groom drove a hundred miles so Andrew could defend a client in a courtroom in another county. They finally got a honeymoon several months later. It made no difference; they are still very happy together and in love. In fact, their wedding was the most romantic one I’ve ever attended.

No matter how dreary February might be, I always feel cheerful on Valentine’s Day.  I enjoy reading and writing romance novels and short stories year round. But Valentine’s Day is special.
And I really don’t need candy, flowers or fancy cards to enjoy the day—just the company of my husband.

If you would like to read a Valentine’s story for free that combines mystery and romance, check out this one at:

http://www.gumshoereview.com/php/Review-id.php?id=2130

Is Valentine’s Day special for you? What is your favorite holiday? Why?


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25 comments:

  1. MadlineFebruary 9, 2015 at 6:56 AM

    My favorite is Thanksgiving--all the togetherness, none of the hype.

    As for romance, mine would be along the lines of, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonsson.

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    1. Jacqueline SeewaldFebruary 9, 2015 at 7:28 AM

      Hi, Madline,

      I'm very partial to Thanksgiving as well since it's a family day.

      Delete
  2. Alice DuncanFebruary 9, 2015 at 7:14 AM

    I've never been a big fan of Valentine's Day, but I think that's because I'm old and grumpy. Wasn't St. Valentine martyred in some ghastly way? Oh, well. I loved Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, too! Wonderful love story.

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    1. Jacqueline SeewaldFebruary 9, 2015 at 7:30 AM

      Martyrdom is definitely not romantic, although at least one of the Valentine's stories puts a romantic spin on it.

      Delete
  3. Bobbi A. Chukran, AuthorFebruary 9, 2015 at 7:15 AM

    Interesting history, Jacqueline. I like Valentine's Day, and if the candy/flowers appear, I'm appreciative. :-) My favorite holiday, though, is Christmas.

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    1. Jacqueline SeewaldFebruary 9, 2015 at 7:32 AM

      Hi, Bobbi,

      Candy and flowers are good. I guess we've commercialized all of the holidays though.

      Delete
  4. D'AnnFebruary 9, 2015 at 9:19 AM

    Happy Valentine's Day! I really don't enjoy this holiday. I've seen it make too many lonely people unhappy.

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    1. Jacqueline SeewaldFebruary 9, 2015 at 11:07 AM

      Hi, D'Ann,

      It's definitely hard to be happy on Valentine's Day when you're alone. But that's true for every holiday.

      Delete
  5. Nancy Means WrightFebruary 9, 2015 at 9:31 AM

    Fascinating background, Jacquie. I always love to read about the origin of words, festivals--especially if the subject is love. I can see that Valentine's Day has special meaning for you. I'm currently writing valentines for seven grandkids, along with bit of cash--and yes, a lot of love. A happy day to you!

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    1. Jacqueline SeewaldFebruary 9, 2015 at 11:08 AM

      Hi, Nancy,

      Seven grandkids! How wonderful. That is a lot of love.

      Delete
  6. Cindy SampleFebruary 9, 2015 at 9:46 AM

    Thanks for the fascinating Valentine's Day history, Jacquie. Now you've made me want to research it even more. Have a great Valentine's Day yourself.

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    1. Jacqueline SeewaldFebruary 9, 2015 at 11:10 AM

      Hi, Cindy,

      There is a lot more that can be written about St. Valentine's Day. I just didn't want to info dump on readers. But like you, I find the origins of holidays fascinating.

      Delete
  7. Patricia Gligor's Writers ForumFebruary 9, 2015 at 10:29 AM

    Jacquie,
    Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday! As a matter of fact, I did a post on it this week too. :)

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  8. Jacqueline SeewaldFebruary 9, 2015 at 11:06 AM

    I'll look for your post!

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  9. Gail FarrellyFebruary 9, 2015 at 12:34 PM

    Good post Jacquie. I liked your short story too. Happy Valentine's Day!

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    Replies
    1. Jacqueline SeewaldFebruary 9, 2015 at 1:29 PM

      Thanks, Gail, and I'm glad you read and enjoyed my short story.

      Delete
  10. Loretta WheelerFebruary 9, 2015 at 12:59 PM

    Well, I'm really a holiday kind of gal, so yes, I love Valentine's Day, right up there with all the others:) Christmas is my all time favorite, though...and I'm open for the gift of chocolates on either one! I enjoyed the information on Valentine's day, especially the she-wolf legend...very interesting...the writer's mind boggles with the overload of ideas for a story ;)

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    1. Jacqueline SeewaldFebruary 9, 2015 at 1:32 PM

      Hi, Loretta,

      Thanks for dropping by. If I were doing a poll, Christmas seems to be the favorite holiday. I'm with you though. I love chocolate anytime. They say it's good for the heart--double meaning--good for heart health, good for romance.

      Delete
    2. Jacqueline SeewaldFebruary 9, 2015 at 1:33 PM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  11. Hilary DaviesFebruary 10, 2015 at 1:52 AM

    Lovely post, Jacqueline.

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    1. Jacqueline SeewaldFebruary 10, 2015 at 5:35 AM

      Hi, Isabella,

      Glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for dropping by.

      Delete
  12. Susan CoryellFebruary 10, 2015 at 9:56 AM

    Since Valentines Day almost coincides with my birthday, I have two reasons to eat more chocolate! Thanks for a fun post.

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  13. Jacqueline SeewaldFebruary 10, 2015 at 11:54 AM

    Happy Birthday, Susan! Enjoy your chocolate!

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  14. Susan OleksiwFebruary 11, 2015 at 7:18 AM

    Delightful information. Your daughter-in-law sounds like a keeper (driving 100 miles . . .).

    ReplyDelete
  15. Jacqueline SeewaldFebruary 15, 2015 at 7:20 AM

    Hi, Susan,

    Let's just say it was an unusual wedding day!

    ReplyDelete

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