PREPARE YOUR EARS TO LISTEN AND YOUR HEART TO RECEIVE AS YOU TAKE IN THE WORDS THAT LOOK TO CHANGE LIVES, RENEW HEARTS AND OPEN MINDS. History is so important to our present and our future. A Representative from Maumelle, Arkansas think that "OUR" history should only be told by certain people that look like him and believe as he believes, but just like in the text below, I will go against him and the people who support his way of thinking and enlighten you on some of the various historical ways that "The Love Day" or Valentine's Day came about.
On or about the year of 270, a Catholic priest by the name of Saint Valentine was convicted of performing marriages in secret after Emperor Claudius II, of Rome, banned marriages and engagements. Upon learning of Valentine's disregard of the law, Emperor Claudius had Valentine arrested and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, where he was condemned to be beaten with clubs and his head cut off. While jailed he fell in love with the jailers daughter and left her a letter signed "from your valentine." Emperor Claudius also executed another man by the name of Valentine in the 3rd century on February 14th. As martyrs of the Catholic Church, they were honored with a celebration every year called St. Valentine's Day.
It was also believed that the Romans celebrated in a feast called Lupercalia, in which a man would sacrifice a goat and a dog and whip the women with the hides of the animals. The women would line up to be "spanked" because they believed this would make them fertile. During this celebration, the men would draw a women’s name and they would "interact" with each other while being naked.
I think these are all great stories in their various forms, while others just think that this is a way for retailers to make money as people try to express their love and affections to someone on this particular day. What isn't mentioned in history is what happens the day after. The love, the romance, the courting and all that comes along with the expression of love seems to just end and the fighting, arguing, abusive behavior that was present on the 13th resumes.
I challenge you to build a foundation of hope, love, respect, and encouragement by expressing and showing those feelings, emotions, and actions you expressed on the 14th and continue them on the day after. Continuing to do this daily will allow you to enjoy the fruits of your labor throughout the year instead of just one day a year. #SPEAK2MYHEART
