Honestly, I have to say I have never seen one holiday cause so much contention and ambivalence as Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day is named after Saint Valentine of Rome who wrote letters to his long time love when he was imprisoned in 269 AD for helping Christian Martyrs. In 469 A.D. Pope Gelasius set February 14th as a day to honor him. Saint Valentine also became the patron saint of lovers as the church assimilated the fertility festival Lupercalia into their calendar. This holiday was set in motion when the flower, confectionary and greeting card industries decided to use this day to promote their products.

In theory, it is a lovely holiday, a time to acknowledge those you love and care for by showering them with affection and gifts. In reality, while that does hold true for many people, those alone or in conflict seem to find this holiday to be one that incites upsets, loneliness and depression. I've heard many men in particular complain that it is just another gimmick used to make money and so they ignore it. While this may be true, this has caused their mates distress and sadness. Women who take the idea out of proportion create sadness for themselves. I would like to propose that we all keep a balance when considering this holiday. For those who wish not to celebrate it, keep in mind what you are communicating to the people you care about. Do you show them in other ways through the year your love and affection? Have you communicated to them you protest of the celebration? Or are you using this argument to communicate something else covertly? To those alone in this holiday spirit I suggest you acknowledge that your family or mate does not celebrate it in kind and rather than use it to create more conflict celebrate the holiday for yourself. Shower yourself along with your friends and family with affection and gifts. Plan to go out with people you care about and enjoy. Buy yourself flowers and put them around the room then pour yourself a relaxing bath after an energizing workout. Rather than focus on those people who are not acknowledging you focus on acknowledging yourself and being kind to those who did not. In the end you will feel happier and better about yourself. Those close to you can only admire you and be grateful that you did not use it to create more conflict. And who knows, maybe they will even get the hint and make more of an effort next year!

To those who do celebrate it I invite you to visit the shops of Port Harbor for a warm, affectionate Valentine's Day Sentiment to purchase for your loved ones and I wish you all a Very Happy Valentine's Day!