If I’ve learned anything in life, it’s that you should tell people how important they are to you. Not because they could leave at any moment, but because they’re here now, and it’s worth saying something,
-Unknown
New Canaanites, I don’t know about you, but I just love a little history….so, here are a few fun Valentine’s Day facts in honor of this week’s holiday. Over the years, Valentine’s Day has undergone an evolution of sorts, previously categorized as a religious celebration, an ancient ritual day, and, most recently, a commercial holiday. The first recorded Valentine’s Day celebration in the United States dates back to the early 1700s when lovers and friends exchanged tokens of affections such as handwritten letters, flowers, and chocolates. In the 1840s, however, the February 14th celebration increased dramatically with the mass production of the first Valentine’s Day cards sold by Esther A. Howland. Known affectionately as the Mother of the American Valentine, Howland is credited with commercializing Valentine’s Day. Fast forward to the present day, however, and, inarguably, the ante has risen to a whole new level. In 2023, the National Retail Foundation reported that Americans spent nearly $26 billion on various sweet nothings (that’s an average of roughly $193 per person!), and Hallmark recently announced that that an astounding 145 million Valentine’s Day cards were exchanged this past week alone. Wow…that’s a whole lotta love, neighbors!!!!
Now, generally speaking, there are two categories of people in the world: those who love Valentine’s Day, and those who, well, don’t. A product of a household that was big on I love yous, I fall into the group of V-day devotees, and I’m hoping that I just might be able to convince a few of the naysayers out there to move over to the bright side with me. Some might call me idealistic, but I truly believe that no three words in the English language hold more magic and power than I love you. I also whole-heartedly disagree with the assertion that saying I love you too often will somehow make it lose its meaning. In fact, as far as I’m concerned, whether it be twice a day or twice in a single hour, every I love you that is voiced serves as an affirmation that, at some point in someone’s busy day, they not only took a breath to adore you but also seized the chance to express it. Sadly, far too often than not, so much is left unspoken these days. Instead, I actively choose to subscribe to the following rule when it comes to love: if you feel it, say it. In the words of Barbara De Angelis, “You never lose by loving. You always lose by holding back.”
In my mind, Valentine’s Day is an opportunity for gratitude; a formal reminder to pause and honor all of the different kinds of love in your life. While relationships must be nurtured on a daily basis in order to remain strong and healthy, Valentine’s Day is an annual opportunity to recognize the things that I value about the important people in my life and to utilize the moment to send them my love. Afterall, expressing love and admiration isn’t exclusive to romantic relationships alone, it applies to all kinds of human connections as well. Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to show family members, neighbors, co-workers, friends, and anyone else who matters to you just how significant they really are. Heck, let’s normalize saying I love you, and let’s say it a lot!
Cheesy as it might sound, my February 14th was filled with heart shaped waffles, bouquets of flowers, boxes of chocolates and other special goodies for those I hold dear. I inundated my personal village with hugs, texts, phone calls and other seemingly small gestures, because it is often the little things which occupy the biggest place in our hearts. I believe in good vibes, pure hearts, and kind souls, and I want the people in my life to as well. My wish for all of you, my friends, is that, this week, you, too, were more present…I hope you hugged your loved ones a little tighter and said I love you way too much. And if you didn’t, that’s okay, for it’s never too late to start; any and every day can be Valentine’s Day. Afterall, we may not have it all together, but together we most certainly have it all. I LOVE YOU, New Canaan!
